Connectors and sheet metal assemblies

Abstract

A connector and a sheet assembly are disclosed. The connector includes a housing and a sheet assembly. The sheet assembly includes a terminal block, a sheet-molded insert, and a ground path assembly. The terminal block includes multiple terminal conductors, and the ground path assembly includes a ground shield, with a contact surface area of ​​the ground shield terminating to a surface area of ​​a ground terminal among the multiple terminal conductors in the sheet assembly. In one example, the contact surface area of ​​the ground shield is laser-soldered to the surface of a ground terminal. The shield extension area of ​​the ground shield also extends across a signal terminal in the sheet assembly. In some cases, the ground path assembly may also include rigid and flexible shields. The grounding structure and ground path assembly facilitate higher data rate applications for the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This article relates to connectors with reinforced shielding, and also to sheet body assemblies. Prior Technology

[0002] A range of input / output (I / O) connectors are designed for power, data, and power-data interconnect systems, including board-to-board, wire-to-wire, and wire-to-board systems. Depending on the requirements of the power and data communication environment in which the connectors are used, multiple designs exist for each type of system. For example, wire-to-board systems include free-end connectors attached to the wire and fixed-end connectors attached to the board.

[0003] For example, designing interconnect connectors can be challenging for high data rate applications with limited physical space due to a number of competing considerations. High data rate interconnect systems typically rely on differentially coupled signal pairs, where two conductors are arranged in pairs to transmit differential signals. The transmitted signal is represented by the electrical difference measured between the conductor pairs. Differential signaling helps avoid stray signals and crosstalk, and prevents unintended signaling patterns between adjacent signal pairs. In the connector interface, grounding terminals can be used to create a return path to ground, provide shielding between differential pairs, and for other purposes.

[0004] Connectors used in high data rate applications are typically designed to meet a range of mechanical and electrical requirements. For example, high data rate connectors are frequently used in backplane applications requiring very high conductor density and data rates. To achieve the required mechanical and electrical requirements, connectors used in such applications typically comprise one or more sheet-body assemblies. The sheet-body assembly may include an insulating mesh supporting the terminal conductors within the assembly. Using sheet-body assemblies facilitates the fabrication of connectors capable of achieving high data rates using a range of different assembly processes. In any case, designing sheet-body and connectors with the conductor density and small footprint required for high data rate applications in a new system, while maintaining the electrical characteristics required for intact data transmission, remains challenging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This document describes aspects of connectors with enhanced shielding. An exemplary connector includes a housing and a sheet assembly. The sheet assembly includes a terminal block, a wafer mold insert, and a ground path assembly. The terminal block includes a plurality of terminal conductors, the ground path assembly includes a ground shield, and a contact surface area of ​​the ground shield terminates to a surface area of ​​a ground terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet assembly. In one example, the contact surface area of ​​the ground shield is laser-soldered to the surface of a ground terminal. The shield extension area of ​​the ground shield also extends across a signal terminal in the sheet assembly. In some cases, the ground path assembly may also include both rigid and flexible shields. The grounding structure and ground path assembly facilitate higher data rate applications for the connector.

[0006] In other aspects of this embodiment, the grounding shield includes a plurality of segments and bends between the plurality of segments, and the contact surface region of each of the plurality of segments of the grounding shield terminates to a corresponding surface region of the grounding terminal in the sheet assembly. In other aspects, the contact surface region of a rigid grounding shield terminates to the lower surface region of the grounding terminal in the sheet assembly, and the contact surface region of a flexible grounding shield terminates to the upper surface region of the grounding terminal.

[0007] In other examples, the housing includes a leg latch finger formed at the bottom of the housing, and a sheet body reference channel and latch finger formed in the side of the housing.

[0008] In other examples, the sheet-body molded insert includes an interlocking flange, and the housing includes latching fingers formed in the side of the housing. When the sheet-body assembly is inserted into the housing, the latching fingers of the housing engage in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking flange of the sheet-body molded insert. In other cases, the sheet-body molded insert includes interlocking legs, and the housing includes leg latching fingers formed in the bottom of the housing. When the sheet-body assembly is inserted into the housing, the leg latching fingers of the housing engage in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking legs of the sheet-body molded insert. In other cases, the sheet-body molded insert includes an interlocking flange, and the housing includes latching fingers formed in the side of the housing and a sheet-body reference channel. When the sheet body assembly is inserted into the housing, the interlocking flange of the sheet body molded insert slides into the sheet body reference channel of the housing, and the latching fingers of the housing engage in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking flange of the sheet body molded insert.

[0009] In other aspects, the connector also includes a second sheet body assembly. The second sheet body assembly includes a second terminal block, a second sheet body molded insert, and a second ground path assembly. The second sheet body molded insert includes a positioning socket, a positioning post, and the positioning post of the sheet body assembly extends within the positioning socket of the second sheet body assembly. A ground shield of the sheet body assembly may extend between the terminal block of the sheet body assembly and the second terminal block of the second sheet body assembly.

[0010] An exemplary sheet metal assembly includes a terminal block, a sheet metal molded insert, and a grounding path assembly. The terminal block includes a plurality of terminal conductors. The grounding path assembly includes a rigid grounding shield and a flexible grounding shield. A contact surface region of the rigid grounding shield terminates to a first surface region of a grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet metal assembly, and a contact surface region of the flexible grounding shield terminates to a second surface region of the grounding terminal in the sheet metal assembly. In other aspects, a shielding extension region of the rigid grounding shield extends across signal terminals among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet metal assembly, and a shielding extension region of the flexible grounding shield extends across signal terminals in the sheet metal assembly. In other aspects, a contact surface region of the rigid grounding shield terminates to a lower surface region of the grounding terminal in the sheet metal assembly, and a contact surface region of the flexible grounding shield terminates to an upper surface region of the grounding terminal in the sheet metal assembly.

[0011] Another exemplary connector includes a housing, a first sheet body assembly, and a second sheet body assembly. The first sheet body assembly includes a first terminal block, a first sheet body molded insert, and a first ground path assembly. The second sheet body assembly includes a second terminal block, a second sheet body molded insert, and a second ground path assembly. The first ground path assembly includes a first ground shield, and the second ground path assembly includes a second ground shield. A contact surface area of ​​the first ground shield terminates to a first surface area of ​​a ground terminal in the first terminal block of the first sheet body assembly, and a contact surface area of ​​the second ground shield terminates to a second surface area of ​​a ground terminal in the second terminal block of the second sheet body assembly.

[0012] In other respects, the first grounding path assembly includes a first plurality of rigid grounding shields and flexible grounding shields; and the second grounding path assembly includes a second plurality of rigid grounding shields and flexible grounding shields.

[0013] In other aspects, the first sheet-body molded insert includes a first interlocking flange, and the second sheet-body molded insert includes a second interlocking flange. The housing also includes a first latching finger and a second latching finger formed in a side portion of the housing. When the first sheet-body assembly and the second sheet-body assembly are inserted into the housing, the first latching finger of the housing engages in a position that mechanically interferes with the first interlocking flange, and the second latching finger of the housing engages in a position that mechanically interferes with the second interlocking flange. In other aspects, the second sheet-body molded insert includes a positioning socket, the first sheet-body molded insert includes a positioning post, and the positioning post extends within the positioning socket to align the first sheet-body assembly with the second sheet-body assembly.

[0014] In other aspects, the housing includes a plastic part and a metal part, with the connector's front opening formed in the plastic part. In other aspects, the plastic part includes a first engaging portion, and the metal part includes a second engaging portion; the first and second engaging portions engage to combine the plastic part and the metal part. In other aspects, the plastic part has a connecting protrusion, and the metal part has a connecting hole; the connecting protrusion can pass through and be fixed in the connecting hole to achieve the combination of the plastic part and the metal part. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0015] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but the emphasis is on clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts in several views: Figure 1A is a top perspective view illustrating exemplary connectors according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1B is a bottom perspective view showing the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1C is a front view showing the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1D is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the connector labeled AA in Figure 1A, according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2A is a top perspective view illustrating an exemplary sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2B is a bottom perspective view showing the sheet body assembly shown in Figure 2A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2C is a side view illustrating the sheet body assembly shown in Figure 2A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3A is a top perspective view showing the sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 2A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3B is a top perspective view showing the sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 2A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3C is a bottom perspective view showing the sheet body assembly shown in Figure 3B according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4A is a partial exploded view showing the sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4B is a partial exploded view showing another sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4C is a partial exploded view showing another sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4D is a partial exploded view showing another sheet body assembly of the connector shown in Figure 1A according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector labeled BB in Figure 1D, according to various embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 is a top perspective view illustrating an exemplary connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the connector shown in Figure 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is an exploded top perspective view of a connector housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a bottom exploded perspective view of a connector housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views from different angles showing the internal structure of the connector housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 12 and 13 are respectively an exploded top view and an exploded bottom view of a thin-film assembly of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 14 and 15 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing the first sheet, second sheet, third sheet, and fourth sheet of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention assembled together; Figure 16A is a top view schematic diagram showing a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16B is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA of Figure 16A; and Figure 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a flexible shield. Implementation

[0016] Connectors are typically designed to meet a range of mechanical and electrical requirements. As an example, high data rate connectors are frequently used in backplane applications requiring very high conductor density and data rates. To achieve the required mechanical and electrical requirements, connectors used in such applications typically comprise one or more sheet-body assemblies. The sheet-body assembly may include an insulating mesh supporting the terminal conductors within the assembly. Using sheet-body assemblies facilitates the fabrication of connectors capable of achieving high data rates using a range of different assembly processes. In any case, designing sheet-body and connectors with the conductor density and small footprint required for high data rate applications in new systems, while maintaining the electrical characteristics required for intact data transmission, remains challenging.

[0017] Within the context of the overview above, this document describes various aspects and embodiments of connectors with enhanced shielding. An exemplary connector includes a housing and a sheet body assembly. The sheet body assembly includes a terminal block, a sheet body molded insert, and a ground path assembly. The terminal block includes a plurality of terminal conductors, the ground path assembly includes a ground shield, and a contact surface area of ​​the ground shield terminates to a surface area of ​​a ground terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet body assembly. In one example, the contact surface area of ​​the ground shield is laser-welded to the surface of a ground terminal. The shield extension area of ​​the ground shield also extends across a signal terminal in the sheet body assembly. In some cases, the ground path assembly may also include a rigid ground shield and a flexible ground shield. The grounding structure and ground path assembly facilitate higher data rate applications for the connector.

[0018] Turning to the schematic diagram, Figure 1A shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector 10 (also referred to as “connector 10”) according to various embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1B shows a bottom perspective view of connector 10, and Figure 1C shows a front view of connector 10. Connector 10 is shown having length, width, and height in the direction shown in Figure 1A. However, connector 10 is shown as a representative example and is not drawn to any particular scale or size. The shape, size, scale, and other features of connector 10 may differ from those shown. For example, connector 10 may accommodate larger or smaller terminal blocks (e.g., wider or narrower), and other variations also fall within the scope of the examples described herein. In some cases, multiple connectors similar to connector 10 may be arranged side by side for higher data rate interconnection. Furthermore, as shown and described herein, one or more parts or components of connector 10 may be omitted in some cases. Connector 10 may also include other parts or components not shown.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1A-1C, connector 10 includes a front opening 12 and terminal pins 13. Connector 10 is designed to establish and maintain an electrical connection with contacts on the free end interface of a cable assembly. For example, a small form factor plugable (SFP), an eight-channel small form factor plugable (OSFP), a four-channel small form factor plugable (QSFP), or a similar printed circuit board (PCB) interface of a cable assembly can be inserted into the front opening 12 of connector 10.

[0020] Connector 10 includes a terminal block of terminal conductors extending from front opening 12 to terminal pin 13 for communication of data signals on the terminal conductors. Connector 10 includes several structural features to maintain the alignment and position of the terminal conductors within connector 10. Connector 10 is also designed to provide shielding and maintain signal integrity of differential signals on the terminal conductors as the terminal conductors extend from front opening 12 to terminal pin 13. Connector 10 can be designed for use with SFP, OSFP, QSFP, and related interconnect systems, but the concepts described herein are not limited to use with any particular type or style of interconnect system. Terminal pin 13 of connector 10 is designed as a surface mount technology (SMT) pin for connection to contact pads on the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB), but in some cases, connector 10 may also be designed to have through-hole leads or other lead types at terminal pin 13.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1A-1C, connector 10 includes a housing 100. In one example, housing 100 may be formed of plastic or other insulating materials, but in some cases, housing may also be formed of a combination of insulating and conductive materials. Housing 100 may be formed by any suitable additive or subtractive manufacturing technique (e.g., molding, injection molding, printing, and other techniques). In some cases, the outer surface or certain surface areas of housing 100 may be plated with one or more electroplated metals for conductivity, and housing 100 may be implemented as an electroplated plastic component in some cases.

[0022] The housing 100 includes a bottom mounting surface 110, a back surface 112, mounting posts 122 and 124, solder rings 126 and 128, and other features described below. The connector 10 is adapted to receive a PCB-style tip of an SFP, OSFP, QSFP, or related connector module at the end of a cable assembly. The PCB-style tip of the cable assembly can be fitted into the front opening 12 of the connector 10. Upon insertion, the terminal blocks of the sheet assembly within the housing 100 abut against and make electrical contact with contacts on the surface of the PCB-style tip.

[0023] Mounting posts 122 and 124 extend downward from the bottom mounting surface 110 of housing 100. In one example, mounting posts 122 and 124 may be integrally formed with the same insulating material as the rest of housing 100. However, in other cases, mounting posts 122 and 124 may be formed with a different material (e.g., a conductive metal) than the rest of housing 100, and the rest of housing 100 may be molded around mounting posts 122 and 124. Mounting posts 122 and 124 may be inserted through openings or holes (e.g., mounting holes, plated through-holes, etc.) in a PCB board, on which housing 100 is surface-mounted. Solder rings 126 and 128 may be formed from sheet metal (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and, in some cases, plated. Mounting posts 122 and 124 extend through the central holes of solder rings 126 and 128. The housing 100 may be molded around the welding rings 126 and 128, or the welding rings 126 and 128 may be inserted into the housing 100 after it has been molded. In an example where the outer surface of the housing 100 is electroplated to be conductive, the welding rings 126 and 128 may be electrically connected to the outer conductive surface of the housing 100.

[0024] Figure 1D shows a cross-sectional view of the housing 100 of the connector 10, labeled AA in Figure 1A. As described above, the connector 10 includes a plurality of sheet body assemblies located within the housing 100. These sheet body assemblies are omitted in the view of Figure 1D to show the internal features within the housing 100. The housing includes an internal space region 102 in which the sheet body assemblies are positioned and secured when the connector 10 is assembled.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1D, the housing 100 includes sheet reference channels 130-132 formed in one side of the housing 100 and sheet reference channels 133-135 formed in another opposite side of the housing 100. The housing 100 also includes a sheet reference channel 136 located in one side of the housing 100 and similar sheet reference channels located in opposite sides of the housing 100 (not shown in Figure 1D). Thin-film reference channels 130-136 (also referred to as "channels 130-136") are formed as recessed channels in the side portion of housing 100 within the internal space region 102 of housing 100. Channels 130-136 extend from the back surface 112 toward the front opening 12 within the internal space region 102 of housing 100. The length, width, and depth of channels 130-136 may vary in different embodiments. In some cases, the orientation of channels 130-136 may also differ from the orientation shown. Channels 130-136 are configured to mate with the guide flange and interlocking flange of the thin-film assembly of connector 10 to position and secure the thin-film assembly within the internal space region 102 of housing 100, as described in further detail below.

[0026] The housing 100 also includes openings 140 and 142 through the sides of the housing 100 (see FIG. 1A), and openings 144 and 146 through the opposite sides of the housing 100 (see FIG. 1B). Openings 140, 142, 144, and 146 extend from the exterior of the housing 100 to an interior space region 102 within the housing 100. Latch fingers are cantilevered and extend within each of the openings 140, 142, 144, and 146. Specifically, latch fingers 150, 152, 154, and 156 are cantilevered and extend from the side edges or walls of the openings 140, 142, 144, and 146, respectively. The latch fingers 150, 152, 154 and 156 are integrally formed with the housing 100 using the same material as the housing 100 in the illustrated example, but the latch fingers 150, 152, 154 and 156 may also be formed using other materials and arranged or assembled with the housing 100 in other ways.

[0027] Because the latching fingers 150, 152, 154, and 156 are cantilevered and formed of a relatively compliant (e.g., polymeric) material, they can bend to some extent when a force is applied to them. The latching fingers 150, 152, 154, and 156 are also elastic and will return to the positions shown in Figures 1A and 1B when such a force is removed. The latching fingers 150, 152, 154, and 156 are designed to mechanically engage and interfere with the interlocking flange of the sheet body assembly of the connector 10 to secure the sheet body assembly in place within the internal space region 102 of the housing 100, as described in further detail below.

[0028] The housing 100 also includes openings 147 and 148 (see FIG. 1B) through the bottom of the housing 100. Openings 147 and 148 extend from the exterior of the housing 100 to an interior space region 102 within the housing 100. Leg latching fingers extend cantileveredly within each opening 147 and 148. Specifically, leg latching fingers 157 and 158 extend cantileveredly from the peripheries of openings 147 and 148, respectively. Leg latching fingers 157 and 158 are integrally formed with the housing 100 using the same material as the housing 100 in the illustrated example; however, leg latching fingers 157 and 158 may also be formed using other materials and arranged or assembled with the housing 100 in other ways. Leg latching fingers 157 and 158 mechanically engage and interfere with the interlocking legs of the sheet body assembly within the housing 100 to hold and secure the sheet body assembly in place, as described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0029] Figure 2A shows a top perspective view of exemplary sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 of the connector 10 shown in Figure 1A, with the housing 100 omitted from the view. Figure 2B shows a bottom perspective view of sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500, and Figure 2C shows a side view of sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500. Sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 are shown as representative examples and are not drawn to any particular scale or size. Figure 3A shows a top perspective view of sheet body assemblies 200 and 500 of the connector 10 shown in Figure 2A. Figure 3B shows a top perspective view of sheet body assemblies 300 and 400, and Figure 3C shows a bottom perspective view of sheet body assemblies 300 and 400. The shape, size, proportions, and other features of sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 may differ from those shown. For example, sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 can accommodate larger or smaller terminal blocks (e.g., wider or narrower), and other variations also fall within the scope of the examples described herein. Furthermore, in some cases, one or more parts or components of the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 shown in the figures and described herein may be omitted. Sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 may also include other parts or components not shown. The sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 of connector 10 are described below with reference to Figures 2A-2C and Figures 3A-3C, and then detailed views of the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 are described with reference to Figures 4A-4D.

[0030] Referring to Figures 2A-2C and 3A-3C, sheet body assembly 200 includes terminal block 210, sheet body molded insert 230, and other components described below. Sheet body assembly 200 supports, spaces, and aligns terminal conductors in terminal block 210. Sheet body assembly 300 includes terminal block 310, sheet body molded insert 330, and other components described below. Sheet body assembly 300 supports, spaces, and aligns terminal conductors in terminal block 310. Sheet body assembly 400 includes terminal block 410, sheet body molded insert 430, sheet body molded insert 430A, and other components described below. Sheet body assembly 400 supports, spaces, and aligns terminal conductors in terminal block 410. Sheet body assembly 500 includes terminal block 510, sheet body molded insert 530, sheet body molded insert 530A, and other components described below. The sheet body assembly 500 supports, spaces, and aligns the terminal conductors in the terminal block 510. Each sheet body assembly 200, 300, 400, and 500 also includes a ground path assembly comprising one or more shielding elements. The ground path assemblies of the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 will be described in further detail below.

[0031] Each terminal block 210, 310, 410, and 510 includes a row of terminal conductors, including signal conductors, power conductors, and ground conductors. The signal and power conductors in terminal blocks 210, 310, 410, and 510 each include a lead contact at one distal end (i.e., within the front opening 12 of connector 10 shown in Figures 1A-1D), a tail contact at the other distal end (i.e., at terminal pin 13), and one or more conductor bends between the lead and tail contacts. The signal and power conductors in terminal blocks 210, 310, 410, and 510 are electrically insulated from each other within connector 10. The signal and power conductors extend from the lead contact at the front opening 12 to the tail contact at terminal pin 13 of connector 10. The tail contacts of the signal and power conductors may be formed as SMT tail contacts (as shown in the example), through-holes, or other types of contacts. The grounding conductors in terminal blocks 210, 310, 410, and 510 each include a lead contact at one distal end and a tail contact at the other distal end. The grounding conductor extends from the lead contact within the front opening 12 to the tail contact at the terminal pin 13 of connector 10.

[0032] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, terminal block 210 includes a first group 210A of terminal conductors, a second group 210B of terminal conductors, and a central group 210C of terminal conductors located between the first group 210A and the second group 210B. The first group 210A and the second group 210B include ground conductors and signal conductors. For example, the first group 210A includes a ground conductor 211, signal conductors 212 and 213 of the differential pair, and a ground conductor 214. Ground conductors 211, signal conductors 212 and 213, and ground conductor 214 each include lead contacts 211A-214A located at the front opening 12 of connector 10, and tail contacts 211B-214B located at the terminal pins 13 of connector 10. Ground conductors 211 and 214 are ground conductors in terminal block 210, and signal conductors 212 and 213 are signal conductors in terminal block 210. As shown in the figure, signal conductors 212 and 213 are located between ground conductors 211 and 214. Each terminal conductor in terminal block 210 includes a conductor bend located between the lead contact and the tail contact.

[0033] Referring to Figures 3B and 3C, terminal block 310 includes a first group 310A of terminal conductors, a second group 310B of terminal conductors, and a central group 310C of terminal conductors located between the first group 310A and the second group 310B. The first group 310A and the second group 310B include ground conductors and signal conductors. For example, also referring to Figure 3B, the first group 310A includes a ground conductor 311, signal conductors 312 and 313 of the differential pair, and a ground conductor 314. Ground conductors 311, signal conductors 312 and 313, and ground conductor 314 each include lead contacts 311A-314A located at the front opening 12 of connector 10, and tail contacts 311B-314B located at the terminal pins 13 of connector 10. Ground conductors 311 and 314 are ground conductors in terminal block 310, and signal conductors 312 and 313 are signal conductors in terminal block 310. As shown in the figure, signal conductors 312 and 313 are located between ground conductors 311 and 314. Each terminal conductor in terminal block 310 includes a conductor bend located between the lead contact and the tail contact.

[0034] Referring to Figures 3B and 3C, terminal block 410 includes a first group 410A of terminal conductors, a second group 410B of terminal conductors, and a central group 410C of terminal conductors between the first group 410A and the second group 410B. The first group 410A and the second group 410B include ground conductors and signal conductors. For example, also referring to Figure 3C, the first group 410A includes a ground conductor 411, signal conductors 412 and 413 of the differential pair, and a ground conductor 414. Ground conductors 411, signal conductors 412 and 413, and ground conductor 414 respectively include lead contacts 411A-414A located at the front opening 12 of connector 10, and tail contacts 411B-414B respectively located at the terminal pins 13 of connector 10. Ground conductors 411 and 414 are ground conductors in terminal block 410, and signal conductors 412 and 413 are signal conductors in terminal block 410. As shown in the figure, signal conductors 412 and 413 are located between ground conductors 411 and 414. Each terminal conductor in terminal block 410 includes a conductor bend located between the lead contact and the tail contact.

[0035] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, terminal block 510 includes a first group 510A of terminal conductors, a second group 510B of terminal conductors, and a central group 510C of terminal conductors between the first group 510A and the second group 510B. The first group 510A and the second group 510B include ground conductors and signal conductors. For example, the first group 510A includes a ground conductor 511, signal conductors 512 and 513 of the differential pair, and a ground conductor 514. Ground conductors 511, signal conductors 512 and 513, and ground conductor 514 each include lead contacts 511A-514A located at the front opening 12 of connector 10, and tail contacts 511B-514B each located at the terminal pins 13 of connector 10. Ground conductors 511 and 514 are ground conductors in terminal block 510, and signal conductors 512 and 513 are signal conductors in terminal block 510. As shown in the figure, signal conductors 512 and 513 are located between ground conductors 511 and 514. Each terminal conductor in terminal block 510 includes a conductor bend located between the lead contact and the tail contact.

[0036] The first group 210A of terminal block 210 includes four signal conductors and three ground conductors, for a total of seven terminal conductors, with each pair of signal conductors arranged side-by-side between two ground conductors. The central group 210C of terminal conductors includes power conductors and, in some cases, may include either ground conductors or signal conductors. The second group 210B is similar to the first group 210A, but located on the opposite side of the central group 210C. Compared to terminal block 210, each terminal block 310, 410, and 510 includes a similar arrangement of signal conductors, ground conductors, and power conductors. However, the individual lengths, curvatures, and other characteristics of the terminal conductors in terminal blocks 210, 310, 410, and 510 may differ from each other.

[0037] The lead contacts of terminal block 210 face the lead contacts of terminal block 510. The lead contacts of terminal block 310 face the lead contacts of terminal block 410. In one example, the spacing between the lead contacts is the same in each of terminal blocks 210, 310, 410, and 510. However, the terminal conductors in terminal block 210 may be offset relative to the terminal conductors in terminal block 510, causing the lead contacts to shift between these blocks. The terminal conductors in terminal block 310 may also be offset relative to the terminal conductors in terminal block 410, causing the lead contacts to shift between these blocks. In other cases, the terminal conductors in terminal blocks 210 and 510 may have the same spacing and be aligned relative to each other (i.e., not interleaved). In other cases, the terminal conductors in terminal blocks 210 and 510 may have different lead contact spacings. Similarly, the terminal conductors in terminal blocks 310 and 410 may have the same spacing and be aligned relative to each other, or terminal blocks 310 and 410 may have different lead contact spacings.

[0038] The sheet-body molded insert 230 of the sheet-body assembly 200 can be formed of plastic (e.g., liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyethylene (PE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials) and molded around the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210. For example, the lead frame including the terminal block 210 can be formed from a metal sheet (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) to form the lead frame. In some cases, the metal sheet can be plated with one or more electroplated metals. The lead frame and the terminal block 210 can be pressed or bent into the shape of the terminal block 210. The lead frame including the terminal block 210 can then be placed in a mold, and plastic material can be injected into the mold to form the sheet-body molded insert 230 around the terminal block 210. The terminal block 210 can then be cut or trimmed from the lead frame, and the individual terminal conductors of the terminal block 210 can be further bent or otherwise shaped as shown in the figure.

[0039] The sheet-body molded insert 230 of the sheet-body assembly 200 maintains the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210 and supports the terminal conductors. The sheet-body molded insert 230 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet-body assembly 200 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet-body molded insert 230 includes guide flanges 232 and 233 for guiding the sheet-body assembly 200 within the housing 100 during the assembly of the connector 10, as described in further detail below. In the example shown, the guide flanges 232 and 233 are shaped as rectangular cubes and include chamfers or edges located on the front side, but the size and shape of the guide flanges 232 and 233 may vary in different embodiments. The guide flange 233 is sized to fit and slide with minimal clearance within the sheet-body reference channel 136 (see FIG. 1D) of the housing 100, and the guide flange 232 is also sized to fit and slide within a similar sheet-body reference channel of the housing 100. During the assembly of connector 10, the sheet body assembly 200 is positioned such that guide flanges 232 and 233 are aligned with the sheet body reference channel of housing 100. Then, the sheet body assembly 200 can be inserted into the internal space region 102 of housing 100 in the direction “D” shown in FIG. 1D, and guide flanges 232 and 233 can slide within the sheet body reference channel of housing 100.

[0040] The sheet-body molded insert 230 also includes interlocking legs 234 and 235 for positioning and securing the sheet-body assembly 200 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. The interlocking legs 234 and 235 are formed in the shape of a rectangular cube, but their dimensions and shapes may vary between different embodiments. The interlocking legs 234 and 235 are designed to mechanically engage with the leg latch fingers 157 and 158 of the housing 100, as described in further detail below with reference to FIG5.

[0041] The sheet-body molded insert 230 also includes an interlocking nose 239 for positioning the sheet-body assembly 200 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. The interlocking nose 239 is located at a relative center of the sheet-body assembly 200 and is formed as an elongated nose. When the connector 10 is assembled, the interlocking nose 239 fits into and extends into a corresponding positioning recess 137 within the housing 100 (see FIG. 1D). That is, when the connector 10 is assembled, the interlocking nose 239 fits into and occupies the positioning recess 137, with a minimum clearance between the outer surface of the interlocking nose 239 and the inner surface of the positioning recess 137 within the housing 100.

[0042] The sheet-body molded insert 330 of the sheet-body assembly 300 can be formed of plastic (e.g., LCP, PE, PTFE, fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials) and molded around the terminal conductors in the terminal block 310. For example, the lead frame including the terminal block 310 can be formed from a metal plate (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) to form the lead frame. In some cases, the metal plate can be plated with one or more electroplated metals. The lead frame and the terminal block 310 can be pressed or bent into the shape of the terminal block 310. The lead frame including the terminal block 310 can then be placed in a mold, and plastic material can be injected into the mold to form the sheet-body molded insert 330 around the terminal block 310. The terminal block 310 can then be cut or trimmed from the lead frame, and the individual terminal conductors of the terminal block 310 can be further bent or otherwise shaped as shown in the figure.

[0043] The sheet-body molded insert 330 of the sheet-body assembly 300 maintains the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 310 and supports the terminal conductors. The sheet-body molded insert 330 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet-body assembly 300 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet-body molded insert 330 includes interlocking flanges 332 and 333 (see FIG. 3C) located on opposite sides of the sheet-body molded insert 330. In the example shown, the interlocking flanges 332 and 333 are shaped as rectangular cubes and include chamfers or edges, but the size and shape of the interlocking flanges 332 and 333 may vary in different embodiments. When the connector 10 is assembled, the dimensions of the interlocking flanges 332 and 333 are configured to fit and slide within the sheet-body reference channels 131 and 134 of the housing 100, respectively, with minimal clearance between them.

[0044] Interlocking flanges 332 and 333 are also designed to mechanically engage with latching fingers 152 and 156, respectively, and lock into place within the housing 100. As described above, latching fingers 152 and 156 bend to a certain extent when force is applied to them. Latching fingers 152 and 156 are also elastic and return to the positions shown in Figures 1A and 1B when such force is removed. During the assembly of connector 10, sheet body assembly 300 is positioned such that interlocking flanges 332 and 333 are aligned with sheet body reference channels 131 and 134 of housing 100. The sheet body assembly 300 can then be inserted into the internal space region 102 of housing 100 in the direction “D” shown in Figure 1D, and interlocking flanges 332 and 333 can slide within the sheet body reference channels 131 and 134 of housing 100. When interlocking flanges 332 and 333 slide within the sheet body reference channels 131 and 134, they interfere with the tips or ends of latching fingers 152 and 156, pushing them out of openings 142 and 146. When interlocking flanges 332 and 333 are pushed beyond the tips or ends of latching fingers 152 and 156, they can quickly return to the rear of interlocking flanges 332 and 333 of the sheet body molded insert 330 of the sheet body assembly 300, securing the sheet body assembly 300 in place within the housing 100.

[0045] The sheet-body molded inserts 430 and 430A of the sheet-body assembly 400 can be formed of plastic (e.g., LCP, PE, PTFE, fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials) and molded around the terminal conductors in the terminal block 410. For example, the lead frame including the terminal block 410 can be formed from a metal plate (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) to form the lead frame. In some cases, the metal plate can be plated with one or more electroplated metals. The lead frame and the terminal block 410 can be pressed or bent into the shape of the terminal block 410. The lead frame including the terminal block 410 can then be placed in a mold, and plastic material can be injected into the mold to form the sheet-body molded inserts 430 and 430A around the terminal block 410. The terminal block 410 can then be cut or trimmed from the lead frame, and the individual terminal conductors of the terminal block 410 can be further bent or otherwise shaped as shown.

[0046] The sheet-body molded inserts 430 and 430A of the sheet-body assembly 400 maintain the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 410 and support the terminal conductors. The sheet-body molded inserts 430 and 430A also include structural features for positioning and securing the sheet-body assembly 400 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet-body molded insert 430 includes interlocking flanges 432 and 433 (see FIG. 3B) located on opposite sides of the sheet-body molded insert 430. In the example shown, the interlocking flanges 432 and 433 are shaped as rectangular cubes and include chamfers or edges, but the dimensions and shapes of the interlocking flanges 432 and 433 may vary in different embodiments. When the connector 10 is assembled, the dimensions of the interlocking flanges 432 and 433 are configured to fit and slide within the sheet-body reference channels 132 and 135 of the housing 100, respectively, with minimal clearance between them.

[0047] Interlocking flanges 432 and 433 are also designed to mechanically engage with latching fingers 150 and 154, respectively, and lock into place within the housing 100. As described above, latching fingers 150 and 154 bend to a certain extent when force is applied to them. Latching fingers 150 and 154 are also resilient and return to the positions shown in Figures 1A and 1B when such force is removed. During the assembly of connector 10, sheet body assembly 400 is positioned such that interlocking flanges 432 and 433 are aligned with sheet body reference channels 132 and 135 of housing 100. The sheet body assembly 400 can then be inserted into the internal space region 102 of housing 100 in the direction “D” shown in Figure 1D, and interlocking flanges 432 and 433 can slide within the sheet body reference channels 132 and 135 of housing 100. As interlocking flanges 432 and 433 slide within the sheet body reference channels 132 and 135, they interfere with the tips or ends of latching fingers 150 and 154, pushing them out of openings 140 and 144. When interlocking flanges 432 and 433 are pushed beyond the tips or ends of latching fingers 150 and 154, they can quickly return to the rear of interlocking flanges 432 and 433 of the sheet body molded insert 430 of the sheet body assembly 400, securing the sheet body assembly 400 in place within the housing 100.

[0048] Furthermore, the sheet-body molded insert 430A includes guide flanges 432A and 433A located at opposite ends of the sheet-body molded insert 430A (see FIG. 3C). In the example shown, the guide flanges 432A and 433A are shaped as rectangular cubes and include chamfers or edges, but the dimensions and shapes of the guide flanges 432A and 433A may vary in different embodiments. When the connector 10 is assembled, the dimensions of the guide flanges 432A and 433A are configured to fit and slide within the sheet-body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100, respectively, with minimal clearance between them. During the assembly of the connector 10, the sheet-body assembly 400 is positioned such that the guide flanges 432A and 433A are aligned with the sheet-body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100. The sheet body assembly 400 is inserted into the internal space region 102 of the housing 100 along the direction “D” shown in FIG. 1D, and the guide flanges 432A and 433A are slidable within the sheet body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100. In some cases, the sheet body assembly 400 may be coupled or connected to the sheet body assembly 500 (e.g., assembled together), and the sheet body assemblies 400 and 500 may be inserted together into the housing 100. However, in other embodiments, the sheet body assemblies 400 and 500 may be inserted into the internal space region 102 of the housing 100 separately.

[0049] The sheet-body molded insert 430 also includes positioning sockets. Specifically, as shown in FIG3B, the sheet-body molded insert 430 includes positioning sockets 442 and 443 respectively formed in the top surfaces of interlocking flanges 432 and 433. Positioning sockets 442 and 443 are formed as recessed sockets within interlocking flanges 432 and 433. Positioning posts of the sheet-body assembly 500 can be positioned to extend within positioning sockets 442 and 443, as described in further detail below.

[0050] The sheet-body molded inserts 530 and 530A of the sheet-body assembly 500 can be formed of plastic (e.g., LCP, PE, PTFE, fluoropolymers, or other plastics or insulating materials) and molded around the terminal conductors in the terminal block 510. For example, the lead frame including the terminal block 510 can be formed from a metal plate (e.g., by stamping, shearing, or otherwise) to form the lead frame. In some cases, the metal plate can be plated with one or more electroplated metals. The lead frame and the terminal block 510 can be pressed or bent into the shape of the terminal block 510. The lead frame including the terminal block 510 can then be placed in a mold, and plastic material can be injected into the mold to form the sheet-body molded inserts 530 and 530A around the terminal block 510. The terminal block 510 can then be cut or diced from the lead frame, and the individual terminal conductors of the terminal block 510 can be further bent or otherwise shaped as shown.

[0051] The sheet-body molded inserts 530 and 530A of the sheet-body assembly 500 maintain the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 510 and support the terminal conductors. The sheet-body molded inserts 530 and 530A also include structural features for positioning and securing the sheet-body assembly 500 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet-body molded insert 530 includes guide flanges 532 and 533 (see FIG. 3A) located on opposite sides of the sheet-body molded insert 530. When the connector 10 is assembled, the guide flanges 532 and 533 are sized to fit and slide within the sheet-body reference channel of the housing 100 and have a minimum clearance between them.

[0052] Furthermore, the sheet-body molded insert 530A includes guide flanges 532A and 533A located at opposite ends of the sheet-body molded insert 530A (see FIG. 3A). In the example shown, the guide flanges 532A and 533A are shaped as rectangular cubes and include chamfers or edges, but the dimensions and shapes of the guide flanges 532A and 533A may vary in different embodiments. When the connector 10 is assembled, the dimensions of the guide flanges 532A and 533A are configured to fit and slide within the sheet-body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100, respectively, with minimal clearance between them. During the assembly of the connector 10, the sheet-body assembly 500 is positioned such that the guide flanges 532A and 533A are aligned with the sheet-body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100. The sheet body assembly 500 is inserted into the internal space region 102 of the housing 100 in the direction “D” shown in FIG1D, and the guide flanges 532A and 533A can slide within the sheet body reference channels 130 and 133 of the housing 100.

[0053] The sheet body molding insert 530 also includes positioning posts. Specifically, the sheet body molding insert 530 includes positioning posts 542 and 543 extending downward along the bottom edges of guide flanges 532 and 533, as shown in FIG3A. The positioning posts 542 and 543 of the sheet body assembly 500 can be positioned to extend within positioning sockets 442 and 443 of the sheet body assembly 400. That is, the sheet body assembly 500 can be positioned above the sheet body assembly 400, and the positioning posts 542 and 543 can be inserted into the positioning sockets 442 and 443 of the sheet body assembly 400. The positioning posts 542 and 543 and the positioning sockets 442 and 443 provide a mechanism for aligning the sheet body assemblies 400 and 500 together. The sheet body assemblies 400 and 500 can then be inserted together into the internal space region 102 of the housing 100, as described herein.

[0054] The sheet-body molded insert 530 also includes an interlocking nose 539 for positioning the sheet-body assembly 500 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. The interlocking nose 539 is located at a relative center of the sheet-body assembly 500 and is formed as an elongated nose. When the connector 10 is assembled, the interlocking nose 539 fits into and extends into a corresponding positioning hole 138 (see FIG. 1A) within the housing 100. That is, when the connector 10 is assembled, the interlocking nose 539 fits into and occupies the positioning hole 138, with a minimum clearance between the outer surface of the interlocking nose 539 and the inner surface of the positioning hole 138.

[0055] Turning to other aspects of the embodiment, FIG4A shows a partial exploded view of the sheet body assembly 200 of the connector 10 shown in FIG1A. The sheet body assembly 200 includes flexible shields 250 and 260 and rigid shields 270 and 280. The flexible shields 250 and 260 and the rigid shields 270 and 280 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet body assembly 200. The grounding path assembly is also electrically connected to and includes grounding conductors in terminal blocks 210 (the grounding conductors include grounding conductors 211, 214, etc.). The rigid shields 270 and 280 of the sheet body assembly 200 may be formed from a sheet metal (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and in some cases electroplated. The sheet metal forming the rigid shields 270 and 280 may be relatively thicker than the sheet metal forming the flexible shields 250 and 260, as described in further detail below. Rigid shields 270 and 280 are designed to be secured to the sheet body assembly 200 and to provide strength, support and additional rigidity to the sheet body assembly 200 and the connector 10.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 4A, the rigid shield 270 includes a first segment 270A, a second segment 270B, and a third segment 270C, with bends between the first segment 270A, the second segment 270B, and the third segment 270C. The first segment 270A, the second segment 270B, and the third segment 270C extend in different directions and are at an angle relative to each other. The rigid shield 270 is generally formed to conform to the bends in the conductor terminal block 210. The rigid shield 270 also includes a contact surface area 271, a shield extension area 272, and a staking aperture 273. Similar to the rigid shield 270, the rigid shield 280 includes multiple segments with bends between the segments. The rigid shield 280 also includes a contact surface area 281, a shield extension area 282, and a staking aperture 283.

[0057] Rigid shields 270 and 280 are formed separately from terminal block 210 and sheet-body molded insert 230. As shown in FIG4A, sheet-body molded insert 230 includes rivet posts, such as rivet posts 236 and 237. When sheet-body molded insert 230 is first molded around terminal block 210, rivet posts 236 and 237 may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG4A. For assembling sheet-body assembly 200, rigid shields 270 and 280 are arranged together with sheet-body molded insert 230 such that rivet posts 236 and 237 extend through rivet holes 273 and 283 of rigid shields 270 and 280. A hot riveting process is then performed to heat the riveting posts 236 and 237 to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the material forming the sheet-like molded insert 230, and the ends of the riveting posts 236 and 237 are pressed and formed into caps, a portion of which is pressed against the back surfaces of the rigid shields 270 and 280. This process secures the rigid shields 270 and 280 to the sheet-like molded insert 230.

[0058] When the sheet assembly 200 is assembled, the contact surface region 271 of the rigid shield 270 contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 210. For example, the contact surface region 271 of the rigid shield 270 contacts the length (length side) of the grounding conductor in the first group 210A of the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210 (including grounding conductors 211 and 214, etc.). The shield extension region 272 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductors in the first group 210A of the terminal conductors by a gap and does not contact the signal conductors. For example, the rigid shield 270 does not contact the signal conductors 212 and 213 or any other signal conductor in the terminal block 210.

[0059] When the sheet assembly 200 is assembled, the contact surface region 281 of the rigid shield 280 also contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 210. For example, the contact surface region 281 of the rigid shield 280 contacts the length of the grounding conductor in the second set 210B of the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210. The shield extension region 282 is spaced apart from and does not contact the signal conductor in the second set 210B of the terminal conductors.

[0060] In some cases, the contact surface areas 271 of the rigid shield 270 and 281 of the rigid shield 280 can be electrically connected or terminated to the upper surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 210 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the grounding conductor and contact surface areas 271 and 281 in the terminal block 210, or at certain points or blocks along the grounding conductor and contact surface areas 271 and 281 in the terminal block 210 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0061] The flexible shields 250 and 260 of the sheet body assembly 200 can be formed from a metal sheet (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and, in some cases, electroplated. In some cases, the metal sheet forming the flexible shields 250 and 260 can be relatively thinner than the metal sheet used to form the rigid shields 270 and 280. The flexible shields 250 and 260 are designed to be relatively more compliant than the rigid shields 270 and 280, such that when the PCB-type interface of the connector is inserted into the front opening 12 of the connector 10 and located between the terminal blocks 210 and 510, the lead contacts of the terminal block 210 can bend and spring back to a certain extent.

[0062] Flexible shielding 250 includes a contact surface region 251 and a shielding extension region 252. Similarly, flexible shielding 260 includes a contact surface region 261 and a shielding extension region 262. When the sheet assembly 200 is assembled, the contact surface region 251 of flexible shielding 250 contacts the lower surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 210. For example, the contact surface region 251 of flexible shielding 250 contacts the length of the grounding conductor in the first group 210A of terminal conductors in terminal block 210 (including grounding conductors 211 and 214, etc.). The shielding extension region 252 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in the first group 210A of terminal conductors by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor. When the sheet assembly 200 is assembled, the contact surface region 261 of flexible shielding 260 also contacts the lower surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 210. For example, the contact surface region 261 of the flexible shield 260 contacts the length of the grounding conductor in the second group 210B of the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210. The shield extension region 262 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in the second group 210B of the terminal conductors by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor.

[0063] In some cases, the contact surface areas 251 of the flexible shield 250 and 261 of the flexible shield 260 can be electrically connected or terminated to the lower surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 210 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the grounding conductor and contact surface areas 251 and 261 in the terminal block 210, or at certain points or blocks along the grounding conductor and contact surface areas 251 and 261 in the terminal block 210 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0064] Flexible shields 250 and 260, and rigid shields 270 and 280 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet assembly 200. The flexible shields 250 and 260, and the rigid shields 270 and 280 provide a grounding structure to mitigate crosstalk, electromagnetic interference, and other undesirable effects between the sheet assembly 200 and between sheet assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 also within connector 10. The grounding structure also helps control the impedance of the signal conductors in terminal block 210, which act as transmission lines for data communication. The grounding structure provided by the flexible shields 250 and 260, and the rigid shields 270 and 280 facilitates higher data rate applications of connector 10, such as 56 gigabits per second (Gb / s), 112 Gb / s, 224 Gb / s, and even faster data rates.

[0065] Figure 4B shows a partial exploded view of the sheet body assembly 300 of the connector 10 shown in Figure 1A. The sheet body assembly 300 includes flexible shields 350 and 360 and rigid shields 370 and 380. The flexible shields 350 and 360 and the rigid shields 370 and 380 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet body assembly 300. The grounding path assembly is also electrically connected to and includes a grounding conductor in the terminal block 310 (including grounding conductors 311, 314, etc.). The rigid shields 370 and 380 of the sheet body assembly 300 can be formed from a metal plate (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and in some cases electroplated. The metal plate forming the rigid shields 370 and 380 can be relatively thicker than the metal plate used to form the flexible shields 350 and 360, as described in further detail below. Rigid shields 370 and 380 are designed to be secured to the sheet body assembly 300 and to provide strength, support and additional rigidity to the sheet body assembly 300 and the connector 10.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 4B, the rigid shield 370 includes a first segment 370A and a second segment 370B, with a bend between the first segment 370A and the second segment 370B. The first segment 370A and the second segment 370B extend in different directions and are at an angle relative to each other. The rigid shield 370 is generally formed to conform to the bend in the terminal block 310 of the conductor. The rigid shield 370 also includes a contact surface region 371, a shield extension region 372, and a riveting hole 373. Similar to the rigid shield 370, the rigid shield 380 includes multiple segments with bends between the segments. The rigid shield 380 also includes a contact surface region 381, a shield extension region 382, ​​and a riveting hole 383.

[0067] Rigid shields 370 and 380 are formed independently of terminal block 310 and sheet-body molded insert 330. As shown in FIG4B, sheet-body molded insert 330 includes rivet posts, such as rivet posts 336 and 337. When sheet-body molded insert 330 is first molded around terminal block 310, rivet posts 336 and 337 may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG4B. For assembling sheet-body assembly 300, rigid shields 370 and 380 are arranged together with sheet-body molded insert 330 such that rivet posts 336 and 337 extend through rivet holes 373 and 383 of rigid shields 370 and 380. A hot riveting process is then performed to heat the riveting posts 336 and 337 to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the material forming the sheet-like molded insert 330, and the ends of the riveting posts 336 and 337 are pressed and formed into caps, a portion of which is pressed onto the back surfaces of the rigid shields 370 and 380. This process secures the rigid shields 370 and 380 to the sheet-like molded insert 330.

[0068] When the sheet assembly 300 is assembled, the contact surface region 371 of the rigid shield 370 contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 310. For example, the contact surface region 371 of the rigid shield 370 contacts the length of the grounding conductors (including grounding conductors 311 and 314, etc.) in the terminal block 310. The shield extension region 372 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductors in the terminal block 310 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductors. When the sheet assembly 300 is assembled, the contact surface region 381 of the rigid shield 380 also contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 310. The shield extension region 382 is spaced apart from the signal conductors in the terminal block 310 and does not contact the signal conductors.

[0069] In some cases, the contact surface areas 371 of the rigid shield 370 and 381 of the rigid shield 380 can be electrically connected or terminated to the lower surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 310 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 310 and the contact surface areas 371 and 381, or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface areas 371 and 381 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0070] The flexible shields 350 and 360 of the sheet body assembly 300 can be formed from a metal sheet (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and, in some cases, electroplated. In some cases, the metal sheet forming the flexible shields 350 and 360 can be relatively thinner than the metal sheet used to form the rigid shields 370 and 380. The flexible shields 350 and 360 are designed to be relatively more compliant than the rigid shields 370 and 380, such that when the PCB-type interface of the connector is inserted into the front opening 12 of the connector 10 and located between the terminal blocks 310 and 410, the lead contacts of the terminal block 310 can bend and spring back to a certain extent.

[0071] Flexible shielding 350 includes a contact surface region 351 and a shielding extension region 352. Similar to flexible shielding 350, flexible shielding 360 includes a contact surface region 361 and a shielding extension region 362. When the sheet assembly 300 is assembled, the contact surface region 351 of flexible shielding 350 contacts the lower surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 310. For example, the contact surface region 351 of flexible shielding 350 contacts the length of the grounding conductor (including grounding conductors 311 and 314, etc.) in terminal block 310. The shielding extension region 352 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 310 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor. When the sheet assembly 300 is assembled, the contact surface region 361 of flexible shielding 360 also contacts the lower surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 310. The shielding extension region 362 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 310 and does not contact the signal conductor.

[0072] In some cases, the contact surface areas 351 of the flexible shield 350 and 361 of the flexible shield 360 can be electrically connected or terminated to the lower surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 310 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact or termination can be established along the length of the contact surface areas 351 and 361, or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface areas 351 and 361 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0073] Flexible shields 350 and 360, and rigid shields 370 and 380 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet assembly 300. The flexible shields 350 and 360, and the rigid shields 370 and 380 provide a grounding structure to mitigate crosstalk, electromagnetic interference, and other undesirable effects between the sheet assembly 300 and the sheet assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 also within the connector 10. The grounding structure also helps control the impedance of the signal conductors in the terminal block 310, which act as transmission lines for data communication. The grounding structure provided by the flexible shields 350 and 360, and the rigid shields 370 and 380, facilitates higher data rate applications of the connector 10.

[0074] Figure 4C shows a partial exploded view of the sheet body assembly 400 of the connector 10 shown in Figure 1A. The sheet body assembly 400 includes flexible shields 450 and 460 and rigid shields 470 and 480. The flexible shields 450 and 460 and the rigid shields 470 and 480 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet body assembly 400. This grounding path assembly is also electrically connected to and includes grounding conductors in the terminal block 410 (including grounding conductors 411, 414, etc.). The rigid shields 470 and 480 of the sheet body assembly 400 can be formed from a sheet metal (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and in some cases electroplated. The sheet metal forming the rigid shields 470 and 480 can be relatively thicker than the sheet metal used to form the flexible shields 450 and 460, as described in further detail below. Rigid shields 470 and 480 are designed to be secured to the sheet body assembly 400 and to provide strength, support and additional rigidity for the sheet body assembly 400 and the connector 10.

[0075] In the example shown in Figure 4C, the rigid shield 470 includes a first segment 470A and a second segment 470B, with a bend between the first segment 470A and the second segment 470B. The first segment 470A and the second segment 470B extend in different directions and are angled relative to each other. The rigid shield 470 is generally formed to conform to the bend in the terminal block 410 of the conductor. The rigid shield 470 also includes a contact surface region 471, a shield extension region 472, and a riveting hole 473. Similar to the rigid shield 470, the rigid shield 480 includes multiple segments with bends between the segments. The rigid shield 480 also includes a contact surface region 481, a shield extension region 482, and a riveting hole 483.

[0076] Rigid shields 470 and 480 are formed independently of terminal block 410 and sheet-body molded insert 430. As shown in FIG4C, sheet-body molded insert 430 includes rivet posts, such as rivet posts 436 and 437. When sheet-body molded insert 430 is first molded around terminal block 410, rivet posts 436 and 437 may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG4C. For assembling sheet-body assembly 400, rigid shields 470 and 480 are arranged together with sheet-body molded insert 430 such that rivet posts 436 and 437 extend through rivet holes 473 and 483 of rigid shields 470 and 480. A hot riveting process is then performed to heat the riveting posts 436 and 437 to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the material forming the sheet-like molded insert 430, and the ends of the riveting posts 436 and 437 are pressed and formed into caps, a portion of which is pressed against the back surfaces of the rigid shields 470 and 480. This process secures the rigid shields 470 and 480 to the sheet-like molded insert 430.

[0077] When the sheet assembly 400 is assembled, the contact surface region 471 of the rigid shield 470 contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 410. For example, the contact surface region 471 of the rigid shield 470 contacts the length of the grounding conductors (including grounding conductors 411 and 414, etc.) in the terminal block 410. The shield extension region 472 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductors in the terminal block 410 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductors. When the sheet assembly 400 is assembled, the contact surface region 481 of the rigid shield 480 also contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 410. The shield extension region 482 is spaced apart from the signal conductors in the terminal block 410 and does not contact the signal conductors.

[0078] In some cases, the contact surface areas 471 of the rigid shield 470 and 481 of the rigid shield 480 can be electrically connected or terminated to the upper surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 410 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 410 and the contact surface areas 471 and 481, or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface areas 471 and 481 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0079] The flexible shields 450 and 460 of the sheet body assembly 400 can be formed from a metal sheet (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and, in some cases, electroplated. In some cases, the metal sheet forming the flexible shields 450 and 460 can be relatively thinner than the metal sheet used to form the rigid shields 470 and 480. The flexible shields 450 and 460 are designed to be relatively more compliant than the rigid shields 470 and 480, such that when the PCB-type interface of the connector is inserted into the front opening 12 of the connector 10 and located between the terminal blocks 410 and 510, the lead contacts of the terminal block 410 can bend and spring back to a certain extent.

[0080] Flexible shielding 450 includes a contact surface area and a shielding extension area, and flexible shielding 460 also includes a contact surface area and a shielding extension area. When the sheet assembly 400 is assembled, the contact surface area of ​​flexible shielding 450 contacts the upper surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 410. The shielding extension area of ​​flexible shielding 450 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 410 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor. When the sheet assembly 400 is assembled, the contact surface area of ​​flexible shielding 460 also contacts the upper surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 410. The shielding extension area of ​​flexible shielding 460 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 410 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor. In some cases, the contact surface areas of flexible shielding 450 and flexible shielding 460 can be electrically connected or terminated to the upper surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in terminal block 410 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the contact surface area, or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface area, by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0081] Flexible shields 450 and 460, and rigid shields 470 and 480, form a grounding path assembly for the sheet assembly 400. The flexible shields 450 and 460, and the rigid shields 470 and 480, provide a grounding structure to mitigate crosstalk, electromagnetic interference, and other undesirable effects between the sheet assembly 400 and the sheet assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 also within connector 10. The grounding structure also helps control the impedance of the signal conductors in terminal block 410, which act as transmission lines for data communication. The grounding structure provided by the flexible shields 450 and 460, and the rigid shields 470 and 480, facilitates higher data rate applications of connector 10.

[0082] Figure 4D shows a partial exploded view of the sheet body assembly 500 of the connector 10 shown in Figure 1A. The sheet body assembly 500 includes flexible shields 550 and 560 and rigid shields 570 and 580. The flexible shields 550 and 560 and the rigid shields 570 and 580 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet body assembly 500. The grounding path assembly is also electrically connected to and includes grounding conductors in the terminal block 510 (including grounding conductors 511, 514, etc.). The rigid shields 570 and 580 of the sheet body assembly 500 can be formed from a sheet metal (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and in some cases electroplated. The sheet metal forming the rigid shields 570 and 580 can be relatively thicker than the sheet metal used to form the flexible shields 550 and 560, as described in further detail below. Rigid shields 570 and 580 are designed to be secured to the sheet body assembly 500 and to provide strength, support and additional rigidity to the sheet body assembly 500 and the connector 10.

[0083] In the example shown in Figure 4D, the rigid shield 570 includes a first segment 570A, a second segment 570B, and a third segment 570C, with bends between the first segment 570A, the second segment 570B, and the third segment 570C. The first segment 570A, the second segment 570B, and the third segment 570C extend in different directions and are angled relative to each other. The rigid shield 570 is generally formed to conform to the bends in the terminal block 510 of the conductor. The rigid shield 570 also includes a contact surface region 571, a shield extension region 572, and a riveting hole 573. Similar to the rigid shield 570, the rigid shield 580 includes multiple segments with bends between the segments. The rigid shield 580 also includes a contact surface region 581, a shield extension region 582, and a riveting hole 583.

[0084] Rigid shields 570 and 580 are formed independently of terminal block 510 and sheet-body molded insert 530. As shown in FIG4D, sheet-body molded insert 530 includes rivet posts, such as rivet posts 536 and 537. When sheet-body molded insert 530 is first molded around terminal block 510, rivet posts 536 and 537 may be cylindrical, as shown in FIG4D. For assembling sheet-body assembly 500, rigid shields 570 and 580 are arranged together with sheet-body molded insert 530 such that rivet posts 536 and 537 extend through rivet holes 573 and 583 of rigid shields 570 and 580. A hot riveting process is then performed to heat the riveting posts 536 and 537 to a temperature higher than the melting point of the material forming the sheet-like molded insert 530, and the ends of the riveting posts 536 and 537 are pressed and formed into caps, a portion of which is pressed against the back surfaces of the rigid shields 570 and 580. This process secures the rigid shields 570 and 580 to the sheet-like molded insert 530.

[0085] When the sheet assembly 500 is assembled, the contact surface region 571 of the rigid shield 570 contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 510. For example, the contact surface region 571 of the rigid shield 570 contacts the length of the grounding conductors (including grounding conductors 511 and 514, etc.) in the terminal block 510. The shield extension region 572 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductors in the terminal block 510 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductors. When the sheet assembly 500 is assembled, the contact surface region 581 of the rigid shield 580 also contacts the surface of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 510. The shield extension region 582 is spaced apart from the signal conductors in the terminal block 510 and does not contact the signal conductors.

[0086] In some cases, the contact surface areas 571 of the rigid shield 570 and 581 of the rigid shield 580 can be electrically connected and terminated to the lower surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in the terminal block 510 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the grounding conductor in the terminal block 510 and the contact surface areas 571 and 581, or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface areas 571 and 581 by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0087] The flexible shields 550 and 560 of the sheet body assembly 500 can be formed from a metal sheet (e.g., stamped, sheared, or otherwise formed) and, in some cases, electroplated. In some cases, the metal sheet forming the flexible shields 550 and 560 can be relatively thinner than the metal sheet used to form the rigid shields 570 and 580. The flexible shields 550 and 560 are designed to be relatively more compliant than the rigid shields 570 and 580, such that when the PCB-type interface of the connector is inserted into the front opening 12 of the connector 10 and located between the terminal blocks 210 and 510, the lead contacts of the terminal block 510 can bend and spring back to a certain extent.

[0088] Flexible shielding 550 includes a contact surface area and a shielding extension area, and flexible shielding 560 also includes a contact surface area and a shielding extension area. When the sheet assembly 500 is assembled, the contact surface area of ​​flexible shielding 550 contacts the upper surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 510. The shielding extension area of ​​flexible shielding 550 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 510 by a gap and does not contact the signal conductor. When the sheet assembly 500 is assembled, the contact surface area of ​​flexible shielding 560 also contacts the upper surface of the grounding conductor in terminal block 510. The shielding extension area of ​​flexible shielding 560 is mechanically and electrically separated from the signal conductor in terminal block 510 and does not contact the signal conductor. In some cases, the contact surface areas of flexible shielding 550 and flexible shielding 560 can be electrically connected and terminated to the upper surface area of ​​the grounding conductor in terminal block 510 by welding (e.g., laser welding, spot welding, etc.), soldering, conductive adhesive, or other means. For example, electrical contact and termination can be established along the length of the contact surface area or at certain points or blocks along the contact surface area by welding, soldering, adhesive, or other means.

[0089] Flexible shields 550 and 560, and rigid shields 570 and 580 form a grounding path assembly for the sheet assembly 500. The flexible shields 550 and 560, and the rigid shields 570 and 580 provide a grounding structure to mitigate crosstalk, electromagnetic interference, and other undesirable effects between the sheet assembly 500 and the sheet assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 also within connector 10. The grounding structure also helps control the impedance of the signal conductors in terminal block 510, which act as transmission lines for data communication. The grounding structure provided by the flexible shields 550 and 560, and the rigid shields 570 and 580, facilitates higher data rate applications of connector 10.

[0090] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of connector 10, labeled BB in Figure 1D, according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, housing 100 includes openings 147 and 148 extending through the bottom of housing 100. Openings 147 and 148 extend from the outside of housing 100 to an internal space region 102 within housing 100 (see also Figure 1D). Latch fingers extend cantileveredly within each opening 147 and 148. In particular, leg latch fingers 157 and 158 extend cantileveredly around the peripheries of openings 147 and 148, respectively. Tapered edges of leg latch fingers 157 and 158 also extend partially within openings 147 and 148.

[0091] As also shown in Figure 2B, the sheet body molded insert 230 of the sheet body assembly 200 includes interlocking legs 234 and 235 for positioning and securing the sheet body assembly 200 within the housing 100. The interlocking legs 234 and 235 are designed to mechanically engage with leg latch fingers 157 and 158 of the housing 100 to hold and secure the sheet body assembly 200 in place. More specifically, during the assembly of the connector 10, the sheet body assembly 200 is positioned such that guide flanges 232 and 233 (see Figure 2B) are aligned with the sheet body reference channel of the housing 100. The sheet body assembly 200 is then inserted into the internal region 102 of the housing 100 in the direction “D” shown in Figure 1D, and the guide flanges 232 and 233 slide within the sheet body reference channel of the housing 100. At this point, interlocking legs 234 and 235 slide into openings 148 and 147 of housing 100 and press against the tapered edges of leg latch fingers 157 and 158. Interlocking legs 234 and 235 of sheet body assembly 200 push leg latch fingers 157 and 158 away from and towards the peripheral edges of openings 148 and 147. When interlocking legs 234 and 235 are pushed beyond the tips or ends of latch fingers 157 and 158, leg latch fingers 157 and 158 can spring back and be positioned behind interlocking legs 234 and 235 of sheet body molded insert 230 of sheet body assembly 200, as shown in FIG. 5, securing sheet body assembly 200 in place within housing 100.

[0092] Figure 5 also illustrates how the contact surface areas of the rigid shields 270, 280, 370, 380, 470, 480, 570, and 580 contact the grounding conductors in the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 of connector 10. The shield extension areas of the rigid shields 270, 280, 370, 380, 470, 480, 570, and 580 are mechanically and electrically separated from and do not contact the signal conductors in the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 of connector 10.

[0093] The connector 10 according to another embodiment of this application will be described next, wherein the same components as in the above embodiments are still indicated by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of the same parts will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0094] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, where Figure 6 is a top perspective view of an exemplary connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the connector shown in Figure 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 of this further embodiment also includes a front opening 12, terminal pins 13 (shown in Figure 7), and a terminal block of terminal conductors extending from the front opening 12 to the terminal pins 13 for communication of data signals on the terminal conductors. The connector 10 also includes several structural features to maintain the alignment and position of the terminal conductors within the connector 10. The connector 10 is also designed to provide shielding and maintain signal integrity of differential signals on the terminal conductors as the terminal conductors extend from the front opening 12 to the terminal pins 13. The connector 10 also includes a housing 100, and the housing 100 includes a bottom mounting surface 110, a back surface 112, mounting posts 122 and 124, solder rings 126 and 128, and other features described below.

[0095] Unlike the aforementioned embodiments, the housing 100 in this further embodiment is composed of two parts: a plastic part 160 and a metal part 170. The front opening 12 is formed in the plastic part 160, which can prevent possible scratches when the connector is inserted through the front opening 12, and can also prevent short circuits between the connector and the housing during docking. The metal part 170 can be formed, for example, by molding, injection molding, die casting, printing or other techniques, to improve the overall strength of the housing 100. When the sheet assembly applies force to the housing 100, the metal part 170 can also improve the deformation resistance of the housing 100.

[0096] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, Figure 8 is an exploded top perspective view of the connector housing shown in Figure 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the connector housing shown in Figure 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The plastic portion 160 of the housing 100 includes a first fastening portion 162, and correspondingly, the metal portion 170 of the housing 100 includes a second fastening portion 172. In the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, both the first fastening portion 162 and the second fastening portion 172 are generally U-shaped. The first fastening portion 162 includes a slot portion 1621 and a rib 1622 located on one or both sides within the slot portion 1621 (only the rib 1622 located on one side is shown in Figures 8 and 9); the second fastening portion 172 includes a retaining arm portion 1721. However, this is not a limitation; the first fastening portion 162 and the second fastening portion 172 may also be in other forms, such as protrusions and grooves or snap holes.

[0097] The plastic portion 160 of the housing 100 also includes connecting protrusions 161. The connecting protrusions 161 shown in the figure are located on the top surface of the plastic portion 160 and are three cylindrical protrusions, but this is not a limitation; the connecting protrusions 161 can also be other shapes, such as prisms. Corresponding to the connecting protrusions 161, three connecting holes 171 are provided on the top surface of the metal portion 170. The shape of the connecting holes 171 can correspond to the shape of the connecting protrusions 161. An appropriate number of connecting protrusions 161 and connecting holes 171 can be provided according to actual needs.

[0098] When assembling the plastic part 160 and the metal part 170, the first fastening part 162 and the second fastening part 172 fasten together. Simultaneously, the connecting protrusion 161 passes through the connecting hole 171. Then, for example, by hot pressing, the end of the connecting protrusion 161 is pressed to form a cap, thereby fixing the plastic part 160 and the metal part 170 together. Alternatively, the plastic part 160 and the metal part 170 can be fixed together by an interference fit between the connecting protrusion 161 and the connecting hole 171. Alternatively, the connecting protrusion 161 and the connecting hole 171 can be interference fitted, and then the end of the connecting protrusion 161 can be hot-pressed to form a cap fixed to the connecting hole 171. When the first engaging portion 162 and the second engaging portion 172 are engaged, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, for example, the retaining arm portion 1721 of the second engaging portion 172 extends into the retaining groove portion 1621 of the first engaging portion 162 and presses against the protruding ribs 1622 located on one or both sides of the retaining groove portion 1621, thereby forming a tight fit / interference fit between the first engaging portion 162 and the second engaging portion 172. Through the fixed connection between the connecting protrusion 161 and the connecting hole 171 and the tight fit between the first engaging portion 162 and the second engaging portion 172, the plastic portion 160 and the metal portion 170 of the housing 100 are securely assembled together.

[0099] Similar to the aforementioned embodiments, the housing 100 includes an internal space region 102, within which the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 are positioned and fixed when the connector 10 is assembled. To achieve the positioning and fixing of the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 within the internal space region 102 of the housing 100, the metal portion 170 in this further embodiment also includes the following features: a second positioning groove 173 is provided on the top surface of the metal portion 170 at the end away from the plastic portion 160; a retaining groove 177 is provided on the top surface of the metal portion 170 at the end near the plastic portion 160; and a first positioning groove 174 is provided on the bottom surface of the metal portion 170 at the end near the plastic portion 160. The second positioning groove 173 may be, for example, a dovetail groove, and the retaining groove 177 may be, for example, a slot. A first locking hole 175 and a second locking hole 176 are provided on both side walls of the metal part 170. Figures 8 and 9 show the first locking hole 175 and the second locking hole 176 located on the two side walls, respectively. The cooperation relationship between the above features and the sheet body assemblies 200, 300, 400, and 500 is described below.

[0100] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, which are perspective views from different angles showing the internal structure of the connector housing shown in Figure 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the housing 100 includes sheet reference channels 130, 131, and 132 (shown in Figure 10) formed in one sidewall inside the housing 100, and sheet reference channels 133, 134, and 135 (shown in Figure 11) formed in another opposite sidewall inside the housing 100. The sheet reference channels 130 and 133 are arranged opposite to each other to form reference channels for the insertion of the sheet assembly 200 (hereinafter also referred to as the first sheet assembly 200). The ends of the sheet reference channels 130 and 133 near the front opening 12 or the plastic part 160 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) are respectively provided with stop edges 1301 and 1331 to define the insertion position of the first sheet assembly 200. Similarly, sheet reference channels 131 and 134 are arranged opposite to each other to form reference channels for the insertion of sheet components 300 and 400 (hereinafter referred to as the second sheet component 300 and the third sheet component 400, respectively). Stop edges 1311 and 1341 are formed at the ends of sheet reference channels 131 and 134 near the front opening 12, respectively, to limit the insertion position of the second sheet component 300 and the third sheet component 400. Sheet reference channels 132 and 135 are arranged opposite to each other to form reference channels for the insertion of sheet component 500 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth sheet component 500, respectively). Stop edges 1321 and 1351 are formed at the ends of sheet reference channels 132 and 135 near the front opening 12, respectively, to limit the insertion position of the fourth sheet component 500.

[0101] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, two slots 139 are formed in the two opposite sidewalls inside the housing 100, and the two ends of the support plate 600 (described below) can be inserted into the slots 139 respectively.

[0102] The first sheet body assembly 200, the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400, and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 12 and 13, wherein Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view from top of the sheet body assembly of the connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view from bottom of the sheet body assembly of the connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first sheet body assembly 200 similarly includes a terminal block 210 and a sheet body molding insert 230, the sheet body molding insert 230 maintaining the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 210 and supporting the terminal conductors. The sheet body molding insert 230 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet body assembly 200 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet body molding insert 230 includes guide flanges 232 and 233 located on both sides thereon for guiding the sheet body assembly 200 within the housing 100 during the assembly of the connector 10. The guide flanges 232 and 233 respectively engage the sheet body reference channels 130 and 133 (i.e., fit and slide within the sheet body reference channels 130 and 133 with minimal clearance), and are respectively limited by stop edges 1301 and 1331 to the extreme positions of the first sheet body assembly 200 inserted within the housing 100. First locking blocks 2321 (shown in FIG. 12) and 2331 (shown in FIG. 13) are respectively provided on guide flanges 232 and 233. Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, when the first sheet body assembly 200 is inserted into the housing 100, the first locking blocks 2321 and 2331 engage with the first locking holes 175 provided on the two side walls of the metal part 170 of the housing 100, respectively, to achieve positioning of the first sheet body assembly 200 in the housing 100. The positions of the first locking blocks 2321, 2331 and the first locking holes 175 are interchangeable, and other structural forms can also be adopted. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the first locking blocks 2321 and 2331 may also be provided with inclined surfaces to guide the first locking blocks 2321 and 2331 into the first locking holes 175. Furthermore, as shown in FIG13, a first positioning block 2301 is provided on the bottom surface of the sheet body molded insert 230. Compared with the first locking blocks 2321 and 2331, the first positioning block 2301 is located closer to the front opening 12 or the plastic part 160. When the first sheet body assembly 200 is inserted into the housing 100, the first positioning block 2301 engages with the first positioning groove 174 provided on the bottom surface of the metal part 170 of the housing 100. According to one embodiment, the first positioning block 2301 is a protrusion and the first positioning groove 174 is a recess. Referring to FIG9 and FIG13, the support plate 600 (described below) causes the first positioning block 2301 to be biased and limited within the first positioning groove 174, thereby achieving positioning in the left-right and up-down directions. The first positioning block 2301 and the first positioning groove 174 can be tightly fitted or loosely fitted. Of course, the first positioning block 2301 and the first positioning groove 174 can also be interchanged or other forms can be used.

[0104] The second sheet assembly 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention similarly includes a terminal block 310 and a sheet molding insert 330, the sheet molding insert 330 maintaining the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 310 and supporting the terminal conductors. The sheet molding insert 330 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet assembly 300 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet molding insert 330 includes interlocking flanges 332 (shown in FIG. 12) and 333 (shown in FIG. 13).

[0105] The third sheet assembly 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention also includes a terminal block 410 and a sheet molding insert 430, the sheet molding insert 430 maintaining the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 410 and supporting the terminal conductors. The sheet molding insert 430 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet assembly 400 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet molding insert 430 includes interlocking flanges 432 (shown in FIG. 12) and 433 (shown in FIG. 13).

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the two end faces of the sheet body molding insert 330 of the second sheet body assembly 300 are provided with first positioning holes 3301, and the two end faces of the sheet body molding insert 430 of the third sheet body assembly 400 are correspondingly provided with first positioning posts 4301. The first positioning posts 4301 of the third sheet body assembly 400 can be inserted into the first positioning holes 3301 of the second sheet body assembly 300 to achieve positioning between the second sheet body assembly 300 and the third sheet body assembly 400. The cross-section of the first positioning hole 3301 shown in Figures 12 and 13 is semi-circular. Correspondingly, the first positioning post 4301 is also semi-cylindrical, but this is not a limitation. The first positioning post 4301 can also be cylindrical, prismatic, etc., and correspondingly, the cross-section of the first positioning hole 3301 can also be circular or prismatic. The positions of the first positioning post 4301 and the first positioning hole 3301 can also be interchanged. The top surface of the sheet body molding insert 330 of the second sheet body assembly 300 is also provided with a locking post 3302. Correspondingly, the top surface of the sheet body molding insert 430 of the third sheet body assembly 400 is provided with a locking hole 4302. The locking post 3302 of the second sheet body assembly 300 can be inserted into the locking hole 4302 of the third sheet body assembly 400. Then, it can be melted and fixed to the locking hole 4302 by hot pressing or other means. Alternatively, the locking post 3302 can be fixed to the locking hole 4302 by interference fit. Or, the locking post 3302 and the locking hole 4302 can be interference fit and then fixed to each other by hot pressing and melting. The locking post 3302 shown in Figures 12 and 13 is a quadrangular prism. Correspondingly, the cross-section of the locking hole 4302 is also a matching rectangle, but this is not a limitation. The locking post 3302 can also be semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, or other prismatic shapes, and correspondingly, the cross-section of the locking hole 4302 can also be semi-circular, circular, or other prismatic shapes. The positions of the locking post 3302 and the locking hole 4302 can also be interchanged, and the appropriate number of locking posts 3302 and locking holes 4302 can be set according to requirements. Through the cooperation of the first positioning post 4301 and the first positioning hole 3301, and the cooperation of the locking post 3302 and the locking hole 4302, the second sheet body assembly 300 and the third sheet body assembly 400 are combined into one unit. After the connector 10 is installed, the interlocking flanges 332 and 432 and interlocking flanges 333 and 433, which are engaged with each other, are located in the reference channels 131 and 134 within the housing 100 with minimum clearance, and can slide along the reference channels 131 and 134.

[0107] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the sheet body molding insert 430 of the third sheet body assembly 400, in addition to the interlocking flanges 432 and 433, also includes guide flanges 432A (shown in Figure 12) and 433A (shown in Figure 13). Second positioning holes 4303 are provided at both ends of the top surface of the sheet body molding insert 430 of the third sheet body assembly 400.

[0108] The fourth sheet assembly 500 according to another embodiment of the invention also includes a terminal block 510 and a sheet molding insert 530, the sheet molding insert 530 maintaining the spacing between the terminal conductors in the terminal block 510 and supporting the terminal conductors. The sheet molding insert 530 also includes structural features for positioning and securing the sheet assembly 500 within the housing 100 of the connector 10. More specifically, the sheet molding insert 530 includes first guide flanges 532 (shown in FIG. 12) and 533 (shown in FIG. 13), and second guide flanges 532A (shown in FIG. 12) and 533A (shown in FIG. 13). The fourth sheet body assembly 500 has second positioning posts 5302 on both sides of the sheet body molding insert 530. The second positioning posts 5302 can be inserted into the second positioning holes 4303 of the third sheet body 400 to achieve positioning and engagement between the third sheet body assembly 400 and the fourth sheet body assembly 500. The second positioning posts 5302 shown in Figures 12 and 13 are quadrangular prisms. Correspondingly, the cross-section of the second positioning hole 4303 is also a matching rectangle, but this is not a limitation. The second positioning posts 5302 can also be semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, or other prismatic shapes. Correspondingly, the cross-section of the second positioning hole 4303 can also be semi-circular, circular, or other prismatic shapes. The positions of the second positioning posts 5302 and the second positioning holes 4303 can also be interchanged, and the appropriate number of second positioning posts 5302 and second positioning holes 4303 can be set according to requirements. After the second sheet body assembly 300 and the third sheet body assembly 400 are installed and positioned together with the fourth sheet body assembly 500 via the engagement of the second positioning post 5302 and the second positioning hole 4303, the guide flanges 432A and 433A of the third sheet body assembly 400 are aligned with the second guide flanges 532A and 533A of the fourth sheet body assembly 500, respectively, and are located in the reference channel 136 (shown in Figures 10 and 11) within the housing 100 with a minimum gap, and can slide along the reference channel 136.

[0109] The fourth sheet body assembly 500 has second locking blocks 5301 on both sides of the sheet body molding insert 530. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the second locking blocks 5301 of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 can be inserted into the second locking holes 176 on the side walls of the housing 100. Furthermore, a protrusion 5304 is provided on the top surface of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 near the front opening 12. This protrusion 5304 is inserted into a locking groove 177 on the top surface of the housing 100. The protrusion 5304 can be interference-fitted with the locking groove 177.

[0110] Considering the large length of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 and the large bridging distance during installation within the housing 100, to prevent the rear end of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 (i.e., the end furthest from the front opening 12) from sagging or warping, a second positioning block 5303 is provided on the top surface of the sheet body molding insert 530 of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 at the end furthest from the front opening 12. This second positioning block 5303 is preferably positioned in the middle along the left-right direction. When the fourth sheet body assembly 500 is installed in the housing 100, the second positioning block 5303 engages with the second positioning groove 173 provided on the top surface of the metal part 170 of the housing 100. When the second positioning groove 173 is in the form of a dovetail groove, the second positioning block 5303 is also in the form of a dovetail, but this is not a limitation.

[0111] Figures 12 and 13 also show a support plate 600, the middle portion of which abuts against the bottom of the second sheet body assembly 300. The two ends of the support plate 600 are respectively inserted into slots 139 (shown in Figures 10 and 11) provided on the two inner side walls of the housing 100. The support plate 600 abuts against the middle part below the second sheet body assembly 200 to prevent it from sinking and warping. On the other hand, the support plate 600 has a certain degree of elasticity, so it can provide a certain degree of elasticity to the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400 and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 assembled together, to compensate for their assembly errors, ensure that the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400 and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 are tightly fitted together, and can also absorb the force when the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400 and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 are interference-fitted.

[0112] The assembled structure of the first sheet body assembly 200, the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400, and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 is shown in Figures 14 and 15, respectively, which show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the first sheet body assembly 200, the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400, and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 assembled together according to another embodiment of the present invention. The lead contacts of the terminal block 210 of the first sheet body assembly 200 face the lead contacts of the terminal block 510 of the fourth sheet body assembly 500, and the lead contacts of the terminal block 310 of the second sheet body assembly 300 face the lead contacts of the terminal block 410 of the third sheet body assembly 400. As shown in Figure 15, the terminal tail structures of the first sheet body assembly 200, the second sheet body assembly 300, the third sheet body assembly 400, and the fourth sheet body assembly 500 are all bent at approximately 90° to improve the coplanarity of the terminal tails. Furthermore, the foremost points (near the front opening 12) of the guide flanges 232 and 233 of the first sheet body assembly 200 are the first edge L1; the foremost points (near the front opening 12) of the interlocking flanges 332, 432 and 333, 433 of the second and third sheet body assemblies 300 and 400 are the second edge L2; and the foremost points (near the front opening 12) of the first guide flanges 532 and 533 of the fourth sheet body assembly 500 are the third edge L3. As shown in Figure 15, the first edge L1 is closest to the front opening 12, followed by the third edge L3, and then the second edge L2. Accordingly, referring to Figures 10 and 11, after the connector 10 is installed, the stop edges 1301 and 1331 of the sheet reference channels 130 and 133 engage with the first edge L1 and are closest to the front opening 12; the stop edges 1311 and 1341 of the sheet reference channels 131 and 134 engage with the second edge L2 and are furthest from the front opening 12; the stop edges 1321 and 1351 of the sheet reference channels 132 and 135 engage with the third edge L3 and are slightly away from the front opening 12, and closer to the stop edges 1301 and 1331.

[0113] Next, we will refer to Figures 16A and 16B for further explanation. Figure 16A is a top view of the connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16B is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to another embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA of Figure 16A. When the connector according to the present invention needs to be installed in a belly-to-belly manner, that is, when both sides of the PCB board need to be soldered, four protrusions 20 can be provided on the bottom surface of the connector 10 and soldered to the PCB board to assist in the double-sided soldering operation. The cross-sectional view of Figure 16B shows the support plate 600 supporting the first sheet body assembly 200. The support plate 600 abuts against the middle of the bottom surface of the first sheet body assembly 200, and its specific installation and function are as described above.

[0114] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the connector may be provided with a rigid shield and a flexible shield as described in the foregoing embodiments to form a grounding path assembly for each sheet body assembly 200, 300, 400, 500. The connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, as well as the connectors of the foregoing embodiments, may also be provided with a flexible shield 290.

[0115] Referring to Figure 17, which is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a flexible shielding member 290, the contact surface area of ​​the flexible shielding member 290 is clamped to the surface area of ​​the grounding terminal among the multiple terminal conductors of each sheet body. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the flexible shielding member 290 includes multiple crossbeam portions 291, multiple clamping portions 292, multiple abutment portions 293, multiple first shielding portions 294, and multiple second shielding portions 295. The multiple clamping portions 292 of each flexible shielding member 290 are spaced apart along the left-right direction Y and are respectively aligned with the multiple grounding terminals of the corresponding sheet body. Each clamping portion 292 of each flexible shielding member 290 has a rib 296 extending along the up-down direction Z, and a pair of clamping arms 297 extending from both sides of the rib 296 in the same direction (i.e., closer to the corresponding grounding terminal) and curling inward. The clamping arms 297 are respectively clamped to the welding sections of the multiple grounding terminals. Each flexible shield 290 has multiple crossbeam portions 291 arranged vertically and vertically between two adjacent clamping portions 292, and the left and right ends of each crossbeam portion 291 are respectively connected to the two adjacent clamping portions 292. In the embodiment shown in FIG17, the number of multiple clamping portions 292 corresponds to the number of multiple grounding terminals, but the number of multiple clamping portions 292 may also be less than the number of multiple grounding terminals, and is not limited to a specific number.

[0116] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back,” “right,” and “left” are not intended to provide an absolute frame of reference. Rather, these terms are relative and intended to identify certain features that are related to each other, as the orientation of the structure described herein may change. The terms “including,” “contains,” “has,” etc., are synonymous, used in an open-ended manner, and do not exclude additional elements, features, actions, operations, etc. Furthermore, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense, not in its exclusive sense; therefore, when used, for example, to connect a series of elements, the term “or” indicates one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

[0117] Unless otherwise specified, combinational language, such as “at least one of X, Y, and Z” or “at least one of X, Y, or Z”, is generally used to indicate one of them, a combination of any two, or all three (or more, if a larger group is determined), such as X and only X, Y and only Y, Z and only Z, a combination of X and Y, a combination of X and Z, a combination of Y and Z, and a combination of all X, Y, and Z. Such combinational language is generally not intended, and unless specifically stated otherwise, to indicate or require the inclusion of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. The terms “about” and “substantially”, unless otherwise defined herein in relation to a particular range, percentage, or associated measure of deviation, describe at least some manufacturing tolerances between theoretically designed and manufactured products or components, such as the geometrical dimensional and tolerance standards described in ASME® Y14.5 and related International Organization for Standardization (ISO®) standards. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, even when using theoretical terms such as geometric terms like “perpendicular,” “orthogonal,” “vertices,” “collinear,” “coplanar,” and other terms, this manufacturing tolerance is still taken into account, even without explicit reference to “approximately,” “substantially,” or related terms.

[0118] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of implementation to provide a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. Furthermore, components and features described with respect to one embodiment may be included in another embodiment. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0119] 10: Connector 12: Front opening 13: Terminal pin 20: Convex plate 100: Casing 102: Internal Space Area 110: Bottom mounting surface 112: Back surface 122: Installation column 124: Installation Column 126: Welding ring 128: Welding ring 130: Channel 1301: Stop edge 131: Channel 1311: Stop edge 132: Channel 1321: Stop edge 133: Channel 1331: Stop edge 134: Channel 1341: Stop edge 135: Channel 1351: Stop edge 136: Channel 137: Positioning recess 138: Positioning hole 139: Slot 140: Opening 142: Opening 144: Opening 146: Opening 147: Opening 148: Opening 150: Latch finger 152: Latch finger 154: Latch finger 156: Latch finger 157: Leg latch finger section 158: Leg latch finger section 160: Plastics Department 161: Connecting protrusion 162: First fastening part 1621: Card slot section 1622: Convex Rib 170:Metal Department 171: Connecting hole 172: Second fastening part 1721: Arm section 173: Second positioning slot 174: First positioning slot 175: First slot 176: Second gauging hole 177: Card Slot 200: Thin-film assembly 210: Terminal block 210A: Group 1 210B: Group 2 210C: Central Group 211: Grounding conductor 211A-214A: Lead Contacts 211B-214B: Tail Contacts 212: Signal Conductor 213: Signal Conductor 214: Grounding conductor 230: Thin-film molded insert 2301: First positioning block 232: Guide flange 2321: First Card Block 233: Guide flange 2331: First Card Block 234: Interlocking outriggers 235: Interlocking outriggers 236: Riveted Column 237: Riveted Column 239: Interlocking Nose 250: Flexible shielding component 251: Contact surface area 252: Shielding extension area 260: Flexible shielding components 261: Contact surface area 262: Shielding extension area 270: Rigid shielding component 270A: Part One 270B: Part Two 270C: Part Three 271: Contact surface area 272: Shielding extension area 273: Riveting hole 280: Rigid shielding component 281: Contact surface area 282: Shielding extension area 283: Riveting hole 290: Flexible shielding components 291: Crossbeam section 292: Clamping part 293:Butt part 294: First Shielding Section 295: Second Shielding Section 296: Ribs 297: Clamping Arm 300: Thin-film assembly 310: Terminal block 310A: Group 1 310B: Group 2 310C: Central Group 311: Grounding conductor 311A-314A: Lead Contacts 311B-314B: Tail Contacts 312: Signal Conductor 313: Signal Conductor 314: Grounding conductor 330: Thin-film molded insert 3301: First positioning hole 3302: Locking Post 332: Interlocking flange 333: Interlocking flange 336: Riveted Column 337: Riveted Column 350: Flexible shielding component 351: Contact surface area 352: Shielding extension area 360: Flexible shielding components 361: Contact surface area 362: Shielding extension area 370: Rigid shielding component 370A: Part One 370B: Part Two 371: Contact surface area 372: Shielding extension area 373: Rivet hole 380: Rigid shielding component 381: Contact surface area 382: Shielding extension area 383: Rivet hole 400: Thin-film assembly 410: Terminal block 410A: Group 1 410B: Group 2 410C: Central Group 411: Grounding conductor 411A-414A: Lead Contacts 411B-414B: Tail Contacts 412: Signal Conductor 413: Signal Conductor 414: Grounding conductor 430: Thin-film molded insert 430A: Thin-film molded insert 4301: First positioning post 4302: Locking hole 4303: Second positioning hole 432: Interlocking flange 432A: Guide flange 433: Interlocking flange 433A: Guide flange 436: Riveted Column 437: Riveted Column 442: Positioning socket 443: Positioning socket 450: Flexible shielding component 460: Flexible shielding components 470: Rigid shielding component 470A: Part One 470B: Part Two 471: Contact surface area 472: Shielding extension area 473: Riveting hole 480: Rigid shielding component 481: Contact surface area 482: Shielding extension area 483: Riveting hole 500: Thin-film assembly 510: Terminal block 510A: Group 1 510B: Group 2 510C: Central Group 511: Grounding conductor 511A-514A: Lead Contacts 511B-514B: Tail Contacts 512: Signal Conductor 513: Signal Conductor 514: Grounding conductor 530: Thin-film molded insert 530A: Thin-film molded insert 5301: Second Card Block 5302: Second positioning post 5303: Second positioning block 5304: Protrusion 532: Guide flange 532A: Guide flange 533: Guide flange 533A: Guide flange 536: Riveted Column 537: Riveted Column 539: Interlocking Nose 542: Positioning Post 543: Positioning Post 550: Flexible shielding component 560: Flexible shielding components 570: Rigid shielding component 570A: Part One 570B: Part Two 570C: Part Three 571: Contact surface area 572: Shielding extension area 573: Riveting hole 580: Rigid shielding component 581: Contact surface area 582: Shielding extension area 583: Riveting hole 600: Support plate D: Direction L1: First Edge L2: Second Edge L3: Third Edge

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: case; The assembly includes a sheet metal component comprising a terminal block, a sheet metal molded insert, and a grounding path component, wherein: the terminal block includes a plurality of terminal conductors; the grounding path component includes a grounding shield; the contact surface area of ​​the grounding shield terminates to the surface area of ​​a grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet metal component; the grounding shield includes a rigid grounding shield; the grounding path component further includes a flexible grounding shield; the contact surface area of ​​the rigid grounding shield terminates to the lower surface area of ​​a grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet metal component; and the contact surface area of ​​the flexible grounding shield terminates to the upper surface area of ​​a grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet metal component, wherein the flexible grounding shield is more compliant than the rigid grounding shield, allowing the lead contacts of the terminal block to bend.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The shielding extension area of ​​the grounding shield extends across the signal terminals in the plurality of terminal conductors of the sheet body assembly.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The grounding shield includes multiple segments and bends between the multiple segments; and the contact surface area of ​​each of the multiple segments of the grounding shield terminates to the corresponding surface area of ​​the grounding terminal in the sheet body assembly.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible grounding shield is thinner than the rigid grounding shield; and the flexible grounding shield is closer to the lead contacts of the terminal block than the rigid grounding shield.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The grounding path assembly includes multiple rigid grounding shields and multiple flexible grounding shields.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes a leg latch finger formed at the bottom of the housing, and a sheet reference channel and latch finger formed in the side of the housing.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The sheet-body molded insert includes an interlocking flange; the housing includes latching fingers formed in a side portion of the housing; and when the sheet-body assembly is inserted into the housing, the latching fingers of the housing engage in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking flange of the sheet-body molded insert.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The sheet-body molded insert includes interlocking legs; the housing includes leg latching fingers formed in the bottom of the housing; and when the sheet-body assembly is inserted into the housing, the leg latching fingers of the housing engage in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking legs of the sheet-body molded insert.

9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The sheet-body molded insert includes an interlocking flange; the housing includes a sheet-body reference channel and a latching finger formed in a side portion of the housing; and when the sheet-body assembly is inserted into the housing, the interlocking flange of the sheet-body molded insert slides into the sheet-body reference channel of the housing, and the latching finger of the housing engages in a position that mechanically interferes with the interlocking flange of the sheet-body molded insert.

10. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising: The second sheet body assembly includes a second terminal block, a second sheet body molded insert, and a second grounding path assembly, wherein: the second sheet body molded insert includes a positioning socket; the sheet body molded insert includes a positioning post; and the positioning post of the sheet body assembly extends within the positioning socket of the second sheet body assembly.

11. The connector according to claim 1 further includes a second sheet body assembly, the second sheet body assembly including a second terminal block, wherein the grounding shield of the sheet body assembly extends between the terminal block of the sheet body assembly and the second terminal block of the second sheet body assembly.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The contact surface area of ​​the grounding shield is laser-welded to the surface area of ​​the grounding terminal.

13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes a plastic part and a metal part, and the front opening of the connector is formed in the plastic part.

14. A sheet body assembly, comprising: Terminal blocks; Thin-film molded inserts; The terminal block includes a plurality of terminal conductors; the grounding path assembly includes a rigid grounding shield and a flexible grounding shield; the contact surface area of ​​the rigid grounding shield terminates to a first surface area of ​​a grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet assembly; the contact surface area of ​​the flexible grounding shield terminates to a second surface area of ​​the grounding terminal in the sheet assembly; the first surface area is the lower surface area of ​​the grounding terminal in the sheet assembly; and the second surface area is the upper surface area of ​​the grounding terminal in the sheet assembly; the contact surface area of ​​the flexible grounding shield terminates at the second surface area of ​​the grounding terminal among the plurality of terminal conductors in the sheet assembly, wherein the flexible grounding shield is more compliant than the rigid grounding shield, allowing the lead contacts of the terminal block to bend.

15. The sheet body assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The shielding extension region of the rigid grounding shield extends across the signal terminals in the plurality of terminal conductors of the sheet body assembly; and the shielding extension region of the flexible grounding shield extends across the signal terminals in the sheet body assembly.

16. The sheet body assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The rigid grounding shield includes multiple segments and bends between the multiple segments; and the contact surface area of ​​each of the multiple segments of the rigid grounding shield terminates to the corresponding surface area of ​​the grounding terminal in the sheet body assembly.

17. The sheet body assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The flexible grounding shield is thinner than the rigid grounding shield; and the flexible grounding shield is closer to the lead contacts of the terminal block than the rigid grounding shield.

18. A connector comprising: The housing includes a plastic part and a metal part, and the front opening of the connector is formed in the plastic part; A first sheet body assembly includes a first terminal block, a first sheet body molded insert, and a first grounding path assembly; and a second sheet body assembly includes a second terminal block, a second sheet body molded insert, and a second grounding path assembly, wherein: the first grounding path assembly includes a first grounding shield; the second grounding path assembly includes a second grounding shield; a contact surface area of ​​the first grounding shield terminates to a first surface area of ​​a grounding terminal in the first terminal block of the first sheet body assembly; and a contact surface area of ​​the second grounding shield terminates to a second surface area of ​​a grounding terminal in the second terminal block of the second sheet body assembly.

19. The connector according to claim 18, wherein: The first grounding path assembly includes a first plurality of rigid grounding shields and flexible grounding shields; and the second grounding path assembly includes a second plurality of rigid grounding shields and flexible grounding shields.

20. The connector according to claim 18, wherein: The first sheet-body molded insert includes a first interlocking flange; the second sheet-body molded insert includes a second interlocking flange; the housing includes a first latching finger and a second latching finger formed in a side portion of the housing; and when the first sheet-body assembly and the second sheet-body assembly are inserted into the housing, the first latching finger of the housing engages in a position that mechanically interferes with the first interlocking flange, and the second latching finger of the housing engages in a position that mechanically interferes with the second interlocking flange.

21. The connector according to claim 18, wherein: The second sheet body molded insert includes a positioning socket; the first sheet body molded insert includes a positioning post; and the positioning post extends within the positioning socket to align the first sheet body assembly with the second sheet body assembly.

22. The connector according to claim 18, wherein, The plastic part includes a first fastening part, and the metal part includes a second fastening part. The first fastening part and the second fastening part engage to combine the plastic part and the metal part.

23. The connector according to claim 22, wherein, The plastic part is provided with a connecting protrusion, and the metal part is provided with a connecting hole. The connecting protrusion can pass through and be fixed in the connecting hole to realize the combination of the plastic part and the metal part.

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