Plug electrical connector

Abstract

A plug electrical connector comprises an insulator, a plurality of elastic terminals, at least one grounding plate and a housing. The elastic terminals are respectively arranged on the insulator and arranged along an axial direction. The elastic terminals include at least one grounding terminal arranged at the first position or the last position of the elastic terminals. The grounding plate is assembled outside the insulator. A part of the grounding plate in the axial direction is located on the deformable path of the grounding terminal. The housing accommodates the insulator, the elastic terminals and the grounding plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector, and in particular to a plug electrical connector. Background Art

[0002] Electrical connectors are common components on electronic devices. They can be connected to matching electrical connectors on other electronic devices to serve as a transmission medium for signals and power between two electronic devices. Existing electrical connectors include Universal Serial Bus (USB) electrical connectors. The USB protocol has added the Type C electrical connector specification, which not only provides an ultra-high data transmission rate of 10Gbps, but also has a symmetrical plug interface that can be plugged in either direction. Therefore, it is widely used in various electronic devices, such as notebook computers.

[0003] Since USB Type-C has high-frequency transmission performance, it has high requirements for electromagnetic shielding performance, otherwise it will cause electromagnetic interference to surrounding devices. Generally speaking, taking the plug electrical connector as an example, it is usually necessary to add a conductive sheet to the insulator that accommodates the elastic terminal to guide noise during high-speed signal transmission, but that is all. The existing USB Type-C does not provide additional functions when the electrical connector is docked, such as signal switching and other similar switch functions. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides a plug electrical connector, which has a trigger structure to provide an electrical trigger effect when docking with a socket electrical connector.

[0005] The plug electrical connector of the present invention comprises an insulator, a plurality of elastic terminals, at least one grounding plate and a housing. The elastic terminals are respectively arranged on the insulator and arranged along the axial direction, and the elastic terminals include at least one grounding terminal arranged at the first position or the last position of the elastic terminals. The grounding plate is assembled on the insulator, and a part of the grounding plate in the axial direction is located on the deformable path of the grounding terminal. The housing accommodates the insulator, the elastic terminals and the grounding plate.

[0006] In some embodiments, the grounding plate is located on a top plane outside the insulator, and the grounding terminal is located inside the insulator, and an orthographic projection contour of the grounding terminal on the top plane at least partially overlaps a portion of the grounding plate in the axial direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plug electrical connector is adapted to dock with the socket electrical connector to deform the elastic terminal. The grounding terminal is deformed by the socket electrical connector to abut against a part of the grounding plate in the axial direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the insulator has a plurality of slots arranged along the axial direction and corresponding to the elastic terminals to expose the elastic terminals. The grounding plate partially shields at least a portion of the slots located at the side edge in the axial direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the insulator further comprises a plurality of convex ribs, each of which is located between two adjacent slots to separate two adjacent slots and two adjacent elastic terminals.

[0010] In some embodiments, the grounding plate has an opening located on the top plane and surrounding the ribs, and the opening exposes a portion of the grounding terminal or completely shields the grounding terminal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the insulator comprises a first component and a second component, each elastic terminal has a retaining section and an elastic section, the retaining section is fixed to the first component, the second component has the slots, and the elastic sections are exposed from the slots respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments, the elastic section of the ground terminal is driven by the plug electrical connector to move in the slot and abut against the ground plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second component further has a plurality of supporting portions, each supporting portion is disposed in the slot and located between two adjacent convex ribs, and the end of the elastic section supports the supporting portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, in the slot where the ground terminal is located, the space between the supporting portion and the shielding sheet forms a deformable path for the elastic section when the ground terminal is deformed.

[0015] In some embodiments, the plug electrical connector is a USB Type C plug electrical connector, including a first terminal group and a second terminal group, which are arranged in parallel on the upper and lower sides of the insulator. The first terminal group includes a pair of grounding terminals located at opposite side edges, the second terminal group includes another pair of grounding terminals located at opposite side edges, and the at least one shielding sheet includes a pair of shielding sheets, which are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator to correspond to the first terminal group and the second terminal group respectively.

[0016] Based on the above, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the grounding plate is located outside the insulator through the corresponding configuration of the insulator, the elastic terminal is arranged inside the insulator, and the shielding surface is located on the deformable path of the grounding terminal in the elastic terminal in the same direction as the axial arrangement of the elastic terminal. Therefore, when the grounding terminal is bent and deformed, it can physically contact with the grounding plate. In this way, the grounding terminal and the grounding plate can produce an electrically conductive or non-conductive state depending on whether the electrical connector is docked or not. That is to say, when the plug electrical connector and the socket electrical connector are docked, the above-mentioned state of contact between the grounding terminal and the grounding plate can be achieved. Once the plug electrical connector and the socket electrical connector are separated from each other, the grounding terminal returns to the original unbent state. This creates a trigger effect of conduction or non-conduction in the electrical connection, which is similar to a switch. Therefore, the switch effect can be utilized to provide additional use functions for the plug electrical connector. At the same time, when the electrical connectors are docked, because the grounding terminal will contact with the grounding plate, it also exists as a guide for noise when high-speed signal transmission is performed.

[0017] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plug electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the plug electrical connector.

[0020] Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of a plug electrical connector is shown.

[0021] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Cross-sectional views of the electrical connector in different states are respectively shown.

[0022] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of the plug electrical connector is shown.

[0023] Explanation of symbols

[0024] 100: Plug electrical connector

[0025] 110: Insulator

[0026] 112: First Part

[0027] 114: Second Part

[0028] 114a: Groove

[0029] 114b: Opening

[0030] 114c: Slot

[0031] 114d: ribs

[0032] 114e: Supporting part

[0033] 120A: First terminal group

[0034] 120B: Second terminal group

[0035] 130A, 130B: Grounding plate

[0036] 131: Contact Department

[0037] 132: Holding Department

[0038] 134: Tongue

[0039] 136: Contact Department

[0040] 138: Opening

[0041] 140: Shell

[0042] 150A, 150B: Insulation sheet

[0043] 160: Grounding fastener

[0044] 200: Socket electrical connector

[0045] A-A': section line

[0046] B: Part

[0047] G1, G2, G3, G4: Grounding terminals

[0048] L1, L2: Axial

[0049] P1: Top plane

[0050] S1: Holding section

[0051] S2: Elastic segment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plug electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded view of the plug electrical connector is shown with an enlarged view of part B. Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2In this embodiment, the plug electrical connector 100 includes an insulator 110, a plurality of elastic terminals, a housing 140, a grounding fastener 160, and at least one grounding plate. Here, taking the USB Type C plug electrical connector as an example, its elastic terminals include a first terminal group 120A and a second terminal group 120B, and the at least one grounding plate includes grounding plates 130A and 130B.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first terminal group 120A and the second terminal group 120B are arranged in parallel on the insulator 110, wherein the first terminal group 120A has a pair of grounding terminals G1 and G2, and the second terminal group 120B has a pair of grounding terminals G3 and G4. Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the elastic terminals of the first terminal group 120A and the elastic terminals of the second terminal group 120B are arranged along the axial direction L1, and in the first terminal group 120A, the grounding terminals G1 and G2 are arranged along the axial direction L1 and at the outermost side of the remaining elastic terminals, while in the second terminal group 120B, the grounding terminals G3 and G4 are arranged along the axial direction L1 and at the outermost side of the remaining elastic terminals. In other words, among the elastic terminals arranged along the axial direction L1, the grounding terminals G1 to G4 are arranged at the first position or / and the last position respectively. Here, the axial direction L1 is orthogonal to another axial direction L2, and the axial direction L2 is regarded as the plugging axial direction of the plug electrical connector 100.

[0054] Further, the insulator 110 of the present embodiment includes a first component 112 and a second component 114, and each elastic terminal has a retaining section S1 and an elastic section S2, wherein the retaining section S1 is fixed to the first component 112. The second component 114 has a plurality of slots 114c and a plurality of ribs 114d, which are arranged spaced apart from each other along the axial direction L1. The elastic terminal extends and suspends from the first component 112 toward the second component 114, and its elastic section S2 is exposed from these slots 114c respectively. In other words, the rib 114d is located between two adjacent slots 114c to space apart the two adjacent slots and the two adjacent elastic terminals. The grounding fastener 160 is embedded in the first component 112 and extends toward the second component 114. The grounding fastener 160 is located on the opposite sides of the elastic terminal along the axial direction L1 and partially immersed in the grooves 114a on the opposite sides of the second component 114. When the plug electrical connector 100 and the socket electrical connector 200 (shown in subsequent figures) are mated along the axial direction L2 , the grounding fastener 160 is used to be fastened to the socket electrical connector 200 .

[0055] In this embodiment, the plug electrical connector 100 includes a pair of grounding plates 130A, 130B and a pair of insulating plates (Mylar) 150A, 150B. The grounding plates 130A, 130B are disposed outside the insulator 110 in an upper and lower manner, and the insulating plates 150A, 150B are also disposed on the grounding plates 130A, 130B in an upper and lower manner, and are located on a side away from the insulator 110. In detail, the grounding plates 130A, 130B each have a locking portion 132, a tongue portion 134 and an abutting portion 136, wherein the locking portion 132 is used to lock the second component 114 of the insulator 110, and the tongue portion 134 will pass over the insulating plates 150A, 150B and abut against the inner surface of the shell 140, so that the shell 140 and the grounding plates 130A, 130B can provide EMI shielding effect together. The abutting portion 136 passes through the opening 114b of the second component 114. When the plug electrical connector 100 and the socket electrical connector 200 are mated, the abutting portion 136 abuts against the socket electrical connector 200 to provide a clamping effect. The housing 140 is used to accommodate the aforementioned insulator 110, the first terminal group 120A, the second terminal group 120B, the grounding plates 130A, 130B, the insulation plates 150A, 150B and the grounding fastener 160.

[0056] Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of a plug electrical connector is shown. Figure 2 For an upward perspective, please refer to Figure 3 And compare Figure 2 Since the grounding plates 130A and 130B are respectively disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator 110 and are symmetrical, the grounding plate on one surface will be described below. The other surface of the second component 114 and the grounding plate also have the same structure and will not be described again.

[0057] In this embodiment, the grounding plates 130A and 130B further have an opening 138. When the grounding plates 130A and 130B are assembled to the top plane P1 of the second component 114, the opening 138 is substantially located on the top plane P1 (or a plane parallel thereto). At this time, the opening 138 surrounds the rib 114d of the second component 114. More importantly, for the slot hole 114c located at the most side edge, the opening 138 only partially exposes the slot hole 114c located at the most side edge. Figure 3 In other words, the elastic terminals of this embodiment, especially the grounding terminals G1 to G4), will therefore have a specific corresponding position relationship with the grounding plates 130A and 130B as follows.

[0058] In fact, for the first terminal group 120A and the second terminal group 120B, since the grounding terminals G1-G4 are arranged at the outermost sides of the other elastic terminals, the openings 138 of the grounding plates 130A and 130B also only partially expose the outermost slots 114c. Figure 3 For example, this will cause the orthographic projection contour of the ground terminal G3 on the top plane P1 to overlap at least partially with the part of the grounding plate 130B in the axial direction L1, that is, the part of the grounding plate 130B in the axial direction L1 will cover at least a part of the slot 114c located at the side edge. In other words, the opening 138 of the grounding plate 130B will only expose a part of the grounding terminal G3, and the opening 138 of the grounding plate 130A will only expose a part of the grounding terminal G1.

[0059] Figure 4A and Figure 4B The cross-sectional views of the electrical connector in different states are respectively shown. For the plug electrical connector 100, the cross-sectional position is, for example, Figure 3 Section line A-A' shown. Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of the plug electrical connector is shown, wherein the Figure 5 The grounding plates 130A, 130B and part of the physical structure of the second component 114 are shown for easy identification. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 In this embodiment, when the plug electrical connector 100 and the socket electrical connector 200 are mated with each other (such as Figure 4B ), the elastic terminals of the first terminal group 120A and the second terminal group 120B will bend (elastically deform) due to the drive of the socket electrical connector 200. Therefore, in combination with the structural features of the openings 138 of the aforementioned grounding plates 130A and 130B at the axial direction L1, the outermost grounding terminals G1 to G4 will move in the slot 114c and abut against the abutment portions 131 of the grounding plates 130A and 130B. Furthermore, the second component 114 also has a plurality of supporting portions 114e, and each supporting portion 114e is disposed in the slot 114c and is located between two adjacent ribs 114d. When each elastic terminal extends to the second component 114, the end of the elastic section S2 will bear against and be limited to the supporting portion 114e, such as Figure 4A and Figure 5 until it is mated with the socket electrical connector 200 ( Figure 4B ), the elastic section S2 is therefore driven thereby to move in the slot hole 114c, and thus contacts with the abutting portion 131.

[0060] In other words, for the grounding plates 130A and 130B of this embodiment, the part thereof in the axial direction L1 (ie, the contact portion 131) is located on the deformable path of the grounding terminals G1 to G4. The deformable path is as follows: Figure 5 The solid arrows shown are located between the supporting portion 114e and the abutting portion 131 of the grounding plates 130A and 130B, and are used to provide space for the grounding terminals G1 to G4 to deform. Therefore, after the above-mentioned docking action, the grounding terminals G1 to G4 will contact the grounding plates 130A and 130B, so that the two can be electrically connected. In this way, the grounding plates 130A and 130B can therefore conduct the noise current generated by the shielding effect through the grounding terminals G1 to G4, so as to produce an electrical grounding effect on the grounding plates 130A and 130B. At the same time, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The difference between the non-contact and contact states can also be reflected in the electrical signals between the grounding plates 130A, 130B and the grounding terminals G1-G4. That is to say, the electrical trigger signal between the grounding plates 130A, 130B and the grounding terminals G1-G4 can be generated by the contact between the structures of the grounding plates 130A, 130B and the grounding terminals G1-G4. For example, the designer can make the electronic device with the electrical connector produce corresponding functions according to whether the electrical trigger signal is generated, such as knowing whether the electronic device is in a normal connection state, and then it can be applied to technical fields such as electronic anti-theft. It should be noted that although the present embodiment shows that the grounding terminals G1-G4 will abut against the grounding plates 130A, 130B to achieve the required signal change or grounding function, in fact, one of the grounding terminals G1-G4 can abut against the grounding plates 130A or 130B to achieve the required effect.

[0061] It should be noted that although this embodiment Figure 5 The abutment portion 131 shown only partially covers the slot hole 114c at the outermost edge and the grounding terminals G1 and G3 therein. However, in this embodiment, the grounding terminal needs to be bent and deformed due to the plugging action of the connector and thus contact the grounding plate. In another embodiment not shown, the grounding plate can also completely cover the outermost slot hole in a part of the axial direction L1, that is, the abutment portion 131 extends along the axial direction L1 structure and abuts against the outermost rib 114d, and at the same time, the holding capacity between the shielding plate and the insulator can be improved.

[0062] In summary, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the plug electrical connector is configured by the corresponding arrangement of the insulator, the elastic terminal and the grounding plate so that the grounding plate is substantially located on the deformable path of the grounding terminal. Therefore, when the socket electrical connector and the plug electrical connector are connected to each other, the grounding terminal is bent and deformed due to the drive of the socket electrical connector, and then abuts against the grounding plate to achieve the effect of electrical conduction. Once the plug electrical connector and the socket electrical connector are separated from each other, the grounding terminal is not bent due to elastic recovery, and thus moves away from the grounding plate. In this way, by whether the grounding terminal contacts the grounding plate or not, a triggering effect of conduction or non-conduction can be provided electrically, that is, similar to a switch, and the designer can further provide additional use functions for the plug electrical connector to enhance its utility. At the same time, when the plug electrical connector and the socket electrical connector are connected, the electrical conduction between the grounding terminal and the grounding plate can also provide a guiding and eliminating effect for noise.

[0063] Furthermore, since the grounding terminal is arranged at the outermost side of the other elastic terminals, an opening is formed on the grounding plate and the size of the opening along the axial direction of the terminal arrangement is adjusted accordingly, so that the opening only exposes a portion of the outermost slot or completely covers the outermost slot, that is, the shielding plate partially covers the grounding terminal or completely covers the grounding terminal, so that the grounding terminal can smoothly contact the grounding plate during its bending process, thereby achieving the purpose of mutual electrical conduction due to structural contact.

[0064] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A plug electrical connector, characterized in that: an insulator; A first terminal group, including a plurality of elastic terminals, which are respectively disposed on the insulator and arranged along an axial direction, each of the elastic terminals includes at least one grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal is located in the insulator, and the grounding terminal is arranged at the first position or the last position of the elastic terminals; a second terminal group, comprising a plurality of elastic terminals, respectively disposed on the insulator and arranged along an axial direction, wherein each of the elastic terminals comprises at least one grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal is arranged at the first or last position of the elastic terminals, and the grounding terminal is located in the insulator, wherein the first terminal group and the second terminal group are arranged in parallel on the insulator in an upper and lower manner; a pair of grounding plates, assembled on the insulator, and disposed on the top planes of the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator to correspond to the first terminal group and the second terminal group respectively, and the orthographic projection contour of the grounding terminal on the top plane at least partially overlaps the local part of the grounding plate in the axial direction, and the local part of the grounding plate in the axial direction is located on the deformable path of the grounding terminal, suitable for the plug electrical connector to dock with a socket electrical connector to deform the multiple elastic terminals of the first terminal group and the multiple elastic terminals of the second terminal group, wherein the grounding terminal is deformed by the socket electrical connector to abut against the local part of the grounding plate in the axial direction; and The housing accommodates the insulator, the elastic terminal and the grounding plate, and is characterized in that: The ground terminal abuts against the grounding sheet to cause electrical conduction, thereby producing an electrical grounding effect. The difference between the state of the ground terminal not contacting the grounding sheet and the state of the ground terminal contacting the grounding sheet is reflected in the electrical signal between the grounding sheet and the grounding terminal. Whether the ground terminal is in structural contact with the grounding sheet can generate an electrical trigger signal. Depending on whether the electrical trigger signal is generated, the electronic device with the electrical connector can generate a corresponding function.

2. The plug electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator has a plurality of slots arranged along the axial direction and corresponding to the elastic terminals to expose the elastic terminals. The grounding plate partially covers at least a portion of the slots located at the side edges in the axial direction.

3. The plug electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The insulator also has a plurality of convex ribs, each of which is located between two adjacent slots to separate two adjacent slots and two adjacent elastic terminals.

4. The plug electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The grounding plate has an opening located on the top plane and surrounding the convex rib, wherein the opening only exposes a part of the grounding terminal or the opening completely covers the grounding terminal.

5. The plug electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The insulator includes a first component and a second component. Each of the elastic terminals has a holding section and an elastic section. The holding section is fixed to the first component. The second component has the slots, and the elastic sections are exposed from the slots respectively and correspondingly.

6. The plug electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic section of the grounding terminal is driven by the plug electrical connector to move in the slot and abut against the grounding plate.

7. The plug electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second component further has a plurality of supporting portions, each of which is arranged in the slot and between two adjacent convex ribs, and the end of the elastic section is supported by the supporting portion.

8. The plug electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the slot where the grounding terminal is located, the space between the supporting portion and the grounding sheet forms a deformable path of the elastic section when the grounding terminal is deformed.

9. The plug electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: It is a USB Type C plug electrical connector, the first terminal group includes a pair of grounding terminals located at opposite side edges, and the second terminal group includes another pair of grounding terminals located at opposite side edges.

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