Electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector for electrically connecting to a circuit board, comprising a terminal module, the terminal module comprising an insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base and a tongue extending forward from the base. A metal shell, the metal shell is arranged around the periphery of the terminal module, the metal shell and the base together form a receiving cavity opening forward, the tongue plate is cantilevered forward and at least partially located in the receiving cavity, and a snap-fit ​​groove opening forward is formed on the periphery of the metal shell at the opening position of the receiving cavity. A waterproof ring, the waterproof ring is arranged on the periphery of the metal shell at the opening position of the receiving cavity, and is at least partially clamped in the snap-fit ​​groove. It has good waterproof performance.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Universal Serial Bus (USB) is widely used in people's daily life. Most electronic devices use this universal standard for data transmission. The emergence of USB3.0 standard has greatly improved the data transmission speed. In the design of standard A Type USB interface, USB3.0 can perfectly realize the design change without affecting the backward compatibility and structural appearance. However, in the field of Micro USB used in mobile terminals, it is impossible to achieve functional upgrades while ensuring the unchanged structural appearance. The Micro USB 3.0 standard eventually complicates the appearance structure, that is, an interface is added in a side-by-side manner to accommodate the added functional solder pins, but it occupies a larger space. Limited by the development trend of ultra-thin smartphones, the application of Micro USB3.0 in mobile phones has been greatly restricted. A new high-speed serial universal bus is urgently needed to solve this problem.

[0003] In this case, the USB Association launched a new USB3.1 Type C interface connector, which takes into account both size and performance and is suitable for applications on smart terminals. Type C USB sockets need to be waterproofed in some mobile phones that require waterproof design. Common waterproofing solutions include silicone ring, silicone one-piece molding, glue dispensing and other solutions. However, in the silicone ring method, the silicone ring is easy to slide and deviate, resulting in a decrease in waterproof performance; the cost of silicone one-piece molding is too high and the yield is too low; glue dispensing solutions are increasingly being used; for example, the patent application of the People's Republic of China with publication number CN109217012A discloses a glue dispensing solution, which adopts a powder metallurgy process to manufacture a shielding shell, and sets a glue groove at the front edge of the shielding shell. However, the manufacturing cost of this powder metallurgy or CNC processing solution for manufacturing a shielding shell is still high, and customer acceptance is low; and the patent of the People's Republic of China with publication number CN109449634A discloses a USB socket, in which an upward flange is integrally formed on the front edge of the inner metal shielding shell, and the flange can be combined with the front edge of the outer metal shielding shell to form a groove. The existing glue dispensing method is to dispense glue in the groove, but the groove is shallow, and the glue is easy to overflow after dispensing, resulting in defects.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new electrical connector to solve the above technical problems. [Summary of the invention]

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a new electrical connector with good waterproof performance.

[0006] The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An electrical connector, used for electrically connecting to a circuit board, comprising:

[0008] A terminal module, the terminal module comprising an insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals fixed on the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base and a tongue plate extending forward from the base, each conductive terminal comprising a terminal fixing portion fixed in the base, a terminal contact portion extending forward from the terminal fixing portion and fixed to the tongue plate, and a terminal docking portion extending from the terminal fixing portion and protruding out of the base, the terminal docking portion correspondingly electrically connected to the circuit board, and the terminal contact portion at least partially exposed outside the tongue plate for electrical contact with a docking connector;

[0009] A metal shell, the metal shell is arranged around the periphery of the terminal module, the metal shell and the base together form a receiving cavity opening forward, the tongue plate is cantilevered forward and at least partially located in the receiving cavity, and a snap-fit ​​groove opening forward is formed on the periphery of the metal shell at the opening position of the receiving cavity;

[0010] A waterproof ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the metal shell at the opening of the accommodating cavity and is at least partially clamped in the clamping groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove along the surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the docking connector gradually decreases in the insertion direction of the docking connector.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross section of the engaging groove along the insertion direction of the docking connector is triangular.

[0013] Furthermore, the engaging groove is in a closed ring shape along the outer circumference of the metal shell.

[0014] Furthermore, the metal shell includes a metal inner shell and a metal ring arranged around the outer periphery of the metal inner shell, the metal ring includes a main body ring arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the metal inner shell and a flange structure formed by the front end of the main body ring being turned outward toward the side away from the metal inner shell, and the engaging groove is formed between the flange structure and the outer peripheral surface of the metal inner shell.

[0015] Furthermore, the metal shell also includes a shift ring coupled to the front position of the outer periphery of the metal inner shell and located in front of the metal ring. The metal inner shell, the shift ring and the metal ring together form an annular groove. The annular groove includes an open receiving groove along a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the metal inner shell and the engaging groove connected to the receiving groove. The thickness of the shift ring along the thickness direction of the metal inner shell plate is less than the thickness of the waterproof ring.

[0016] Furthermore, the waterproof ring is formed by injection molding or by injecting glue into the engagement groove and then curing it. The waterproof ring includes a portion accommodated in the engagement groove, a portion surrounding the outer periphery of the metal inner shell and located in front of the engagement groove, and a portion surrounding the outer periphery of the main ring and located behind the flange structure.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a metal upper shell and a metal lower shell, which cover the outer periphery of the metal shell in the up and down directions and are fixed by spot welding on the left and right sides of the metal shell. The metal upper shell and the metal lower shell are both located behind the metal ring, and the metal upper shell and / or the metal lower shell extend to form docking feet corresponding to the docking circuit board.

[0018] Furthermore, the conductive terminals are arranged in two rows and are correspondingly located on the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue plate, and the arrangement of the conductive terminals meets the arrangement standard of USB Type-C.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a metal ring, which includes a main ring portion surrounding and covering the outer peripheral surface of the base and a stop ring portion integrated with the main ring portion, the stop ring portion is located at the outer periphery of the root of the tongue plate and covers the front end surface of the base, the main ring portion is fitted with the inner surface of the metal shell, the metal ring is in the shape of a seamless tube and / or the metal inner shell is in the shape of a seamless tube and / or the metal ring is in the shape of a seamless tube.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: it has good waterproof performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 Sectional view along line AA;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application at the angle shown;

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the electrical connector after removing the waterproof ring;

[0025] Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application, specifically showing a perspective schematic view of the waterproof ring and the metal ring after being separated from the metal inner shell;

[0026] Figure 6It is a partial three-dimensional exploded view of the first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application, specifically showing a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the waterproof ring, metal ring, metal inner shell, metal sleeve ring, metal upper shell and metal lower shell after being separated from the terminal module. [Specific implementation method]

[0027] The following will be combined Figures 1 to 6 The specific implementation of the electrical connector of the present application is introduced. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof used herein are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0030] In order to make the description in this application more accurate, all directions should be referred to as Figure 1 For reference, the direction of the X-axis is defined as the left-right direction; the direction of the Y-axis (the plug-in and unplug direction of the docking connector) is defined as the front-to-back direction, where the positive direction of the Y-axis is the back; and the direction of the Z-axis is defined as the up-down direction, where the positive direction of the Z-axis is the top.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the present application discloses an electrical connector for electrically connecting to a circuit board (not shown), and the electrical connector is generally installed inside an electronic device, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc. The electrical connector disclosed in the present application is actually a socket electrical connector, and more specifically, a USB TYPE-C socket electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a terminal module 1 and a metal shell 2 combined with the terminal module 1.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the terminal module 1 includes an insulating body 11 and a plurality of conductive terminals 12 fixed on the insulating body 11. The insulating body 11 includes a base 111 and a tongue plate 112 extending forward from the base 111. Each of the conductive terminals 12 includes a terminal fixing portion 121 fixed in the base 111, a terminal contact portion 122 extending forward from the terminal fixing portion 121 and fixed to the tongue plate 112, and a terminal docking portion 123 extending from the terminal fixing portion 121 and protruding out of the base 111, the terminal docking portion 123 correspondingly electrically connected to the docking circuit board, and the terminal contact portion 122 at least partially exposed outside the tongue plate 112 for electrical contact with the docking connector (not shown). The conductive terminals 12 are arranged in two rows and are correspondingly located on the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue plate 112, and the arrangement of the conductive terminals 12 meets the arrangement standard of USB Type-C.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the metal shell 2 is arranged around the periphery of the terminal module 1, and the metal shell 2 and the base 111 together form a receiving cavity 10 that opens forward, the tongue plate 112 is arranged forward in a cantilevered shape and is at least partially located in the receiving cavity 10, and the outer periphery of the metal shell 2 located at the opening position of the receiving cavity 10 is formed with a snap-fit ​​groove 201 that opens forward. The electrical connector also includes a waterproof ring 3, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the metal shell 2 located at the opening position of the receiving cavity 10, and is at least partially snap-fitted in the snap-fit ​​groove 201. The waterproof ring 3 is used to achieve sealing and waterproofing between the outer periphery of the metal shell 2 of the electrical connector and the corresponding frame opening (not shown) of the electronic device.

[0034] Specifically, the metal shell 2 includes a metal inner shell 21 and a metal ring 22 arranged around the outer periphery of the metal inner shell 21, the metal ring 22 includes a main body ring 221 arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the metal inner shell 21 and a flange structure 222 formed by the front end of the main body ring 221 being turned outward toward the side away from the metal inner shell 21, and the engaging groove 201 is formed between the flange structure 222 and the outer peripheral surface of the metal inner shell 21.

[0035] In the present application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove 201 along the surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the docking connector gradually decreases in the insertion direction of the docking connector. The cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove 201 along the surface of the insertion direction of the docking connector is triangular. After the waterproof ring 3 is pressed into the engaging groove 201, it can form a shear force between the groove wall of the engaging groove 201, which is used to increase the bonding force between the waterproof ring 3 and the metal shell 2. Generally, electrical and electronic devices (such as mobile phones) will reserve an assembly through hole (not shown) on the shell. The front opening position of the electrical connector will be inserted into the assembly through hole and exposed outside the electronic device. The waterproof ring is used to achieve waterproofing between the metal shell 2 of the electrical connector and the inner wall of the assembly through hole of the electronic device. When the electrical connector is inserted and assembled into the assembly through hole, friction will occur between the waterproof ring 3 and the inner wall of the assembly through hole. In some cases, the friction will cause displacement between the waterproof ring 3 and the metal shell 2, thereby causing partial or full position displacement of the waterproof ring 3, and waterproofing cannot be achieved. In the present design, by designing the snap-fit ​​groove 201 structure, when the electrical connector is inserted and assembled into the assembly through hole, the snap-fit ​​groove 201 can suppress the improper displacement of the waterproof ring 3, so that the waterproof ring 3 can be precisely matched with the metal shell 2 in both the Y-axis and Z-axis directions, and the waterproof effect is better.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove 201 along the surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the docking connector gradually decreases in the insertion direction of the docking connector; the cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove 201 along the surface of the insertion direction of the docking connector is triangular in shape. This is to increase the shear force between the waterproof ring 3 and the engaging groove 201 along the positive direction of the Y axis, thereby increasing the bonding force between the waterproof ring 3 and the metal shell 2. In the present application, the engaging groove 201 is a closed ring along the outer periphery of the metal shell 2.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, it is a second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present application. The structure of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, and the only difference is that the metal shell 2 also includes a shift ring 23 combined with the front position of the outer periphery of the metal inner shell 21 and located in front of the metal ring 22. The metal inner shell 21, the shift ring 23 and the metal ring 22 together form an annular groove 20, and the annular groove 20 includes an opening-shaped receiving groove 202 along a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the metal inner shell 21 and the engaging groove 201 connected to the receiving groove 202 (for details, please refer to Figure 4 The stop ring 23 is used to inhibit the forward displacement of the waterproof ring 3 relative to the metal inner shell 21. In some embodiments, the stop ring 23 can be an independent metal ring or a component integrally provided with the metal inner shell 21. In the present application, the thickness of the stop ring along the thickness direction of the metal inner shell is less than the thickness of the waterproof ring.

[0038] In the present application, the waterproof ring 3 is formed by injection molding, and the material forming the waterproof ring 3 is a certain silicone, or a certain insulating material with a certain elasticity at room temperature. The waterproof ring 3 includes a portion accommodated in the snap-fit ​​groove 201, a portion surrounded by the outer periphery of the metal inner shell 21 and located in front of the snap-fit ​​groove 201, and a portion surrounded by the outer periphery of the main body ring 221 and located behind the flange structure 222 (for details, please refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3 ,or Figure 4 As shown). Of course, the waterproof ring 3 can be directly integrated with the metal shell 2 by integral molding, or it can be formed into a single component by integral molding and then assembled and sleeved on the metal shell 2. Of course, the waterproof ring 3 can also be formed by a glue dispensing process (glue is dispensed into the position of the engaging groove 201 and then solidified).

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 Combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the present application, the electrical connector also includes a metal upper shell 24 and a metal lower shell 25, which cover the outer periphery of the metal shell 2 in the up and down directions and are fixed by spot welding on the left and right sides of the metal shell 2, and the metal upper shell 24 and the metal lower shell 25 are both located behind the metal ring 22, and a docking foot 241 corresponding to the docking circuit board is extended and formed on the metal upper shell 24 and / or the metal lower shell 25.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 2 Combined with Figure 6 As shown, in the present application, the electrical connector further comprises a metal collar 26, the metal collar 26 comprises a main body ring portion 261 surrounding and covering the outer peripheral surface of the base 111 and a stop ring portion 262 integral with the main body ring portion 261, the stop ring portion 262 is located at the outer periphery of the root of the tongue plate 112 and covers the front end surface of the base 111, and the main body ring portion 261 is in contact with the inner surface of the metal shell 2. The metal collar 26 and / or the metal inner shell 21 and / or the metal ring 22 are in a seamless tubular shape. Used to achieve better waterproof performance. The stop ring portion 262 is used for inserting and stopping the docking connector.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for electrically connecting to a circuit board, characterized in that: include: A terminal module, the terminal module comprising an insulating body and a plurality of conductive terminals fixed on the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base and a tongue plate extending forward from the base, each conductive terminal comprising a terminal fixing portion fixed in the base, a terminal contact portion extending forward from the terminal fixing portion and fixed to the tongue plate, and a terminal docking portion extending from the terminal fixing portion and protruding out of the base, the terminal docking portion correspondingly electrically connected to the circuit board, and the terminal contact portion at least partially exposed outside the tongue plate for electrical contact with a docking connector; A metal shell, the metal shell is arranged around the periphery of the terminal module, the metal shell and the base together form a receiving cavity opening forward, the tongue plate is cantilevered forward and at least partially located in the receiving cavity, and a snap-fit ​​groove opening forward is formed on the periphery of the metal shell at the opening position of the receiving cavity; A waterproof ring, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the metal shell at the opening position of the accommodating cavity and is at least partially clamped in the clamping groove; The metal shell comprises a metal inner shell and a metal ring arranged around the outer periphery of the metal inner shell, wherein the metal ring comprises a main body ring arranged around the outer periphery of the metal inner shell and a flange structure formed by the front end of the main body ring being turned outward toward the side away from the metal inner shell, and the engaging groove is formed between the flange structure and the outer periphery of the metal inner shell; The waterproof ring includes a portion contained in the engaging groove, a portion surrounding the outer periphery of the metal inner shell and located in front of the engaging groove, and a portion surrounding the outer periphery of the main body ring and located behind the flange structure; The waterproof ring as a whole does not extend forward beyond the front end edge of the metal inner shell.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the engaging groove along a surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the docking connector gradually decreases in the insertion direction of the docking connector.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The cross section of the engaging groove along the insertion direction of the docking connector is triangular.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The engaging groove is in a closed ring shape along the outer circumference of the metal shell.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The metal shell also includes a shift ring coupled to the front position of the outer periphery of the metal inner shell and located in front of the metal ring. The metal inner shell, the shift ring and the metal ring together form an annular groove. The annular groove includes an open receiving groove along a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the metal inner shell and the engaging groove connected to the receiving groove. The thickness of the shift ring along the thickness direction of the metal inner shell plate is less than the thickness of the waterproof ring.

6. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The waterproof ring is formed by injection molding or by applying glue into the engagement groove and then curing the glue.

7. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a metal upper shell and a metal lower shell, which cover the outer periphery of the metal shell in the up and down directions and are fixed by spot welding on the left and right sides of the metal shell. The metal upper shell and the metal lower shell are both located behind the metal ring. The metal upper shell and / or the metal lower shell extend to form docking feet corresponding to the docking circuit board.

8. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The conductive terminals are arranged in two rows and are located on the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue plate respectively. The arrangement of the conductive terminals meets the arrangement standard of USB Type-C.

9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a metal ring, which includes a main ring portion surrounding and covering the outer peripheral surface of the base and a stop ring portion integrated with the main ring portion, the stop ring portion is located at the outer periphery of the tongue plate root and covers the front end surface of the base, the main ring portion is in contact with the inner surface of the metal shell, the metal ring is in a seamless tubular shape and / or the metal inner shell is in a seamless tubular shape and / or the metal ring is in a seamless tubular shape.

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