Compact electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a housing having a wall at least partially defining an opening in which a plurality of terminals are exposed, and a shell configured to surround an outer surface of the wall. The shell can include a guide portion, a plurality of first portions configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall, a plurality of second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall, and a plurality of hook portions configured to engage an edge of the wall. The hook portions can be opposite the guide portion. The second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall can be distributed around the perimeter wall and can have different sizes to receive different projections of a plug, preventing insertion of the plug in an incorrect orientation during mating of the plug with the connector, and balancing forces on the connector housing.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 040,422 (Attorney’s File No. A1156.70751US00), filed June 17, 2020, entitled “COMPACT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Invention Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to electrical interconnect systems, and more specifically to compact electrical connectors. Background Technology

[0004] Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. Typically, various electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, digital cameras, etc.) are equipped with various types of connectors. The primary purpose of these connectors is to enable electronic devices to exchange data, commands, and / or other signals with one or more other electronic devices. Electrical connectors are essential components required for the proper functioning of certain electrical systems. Signal transmission for conveying information (e.g., data, commands, and / or other electrical signals) frequently utilizes electrical connectors between electronic devices, between components of electronic devices, and between electrical systems that may include multiple electronic devices.

[0005] Typically, it is easier and more cost-effective to manufacture electrical systems as individual electronic components, such as printed circuit boards (“PCBs”), that can be communicatively connected together via electrical connectors. In some scenarios, connectors can be mounted on all the PCBs to be connected. The connectors can be directly mated together to interconnect the PCBs.

[0006] In other scenarios, PCBs can be indirectly connected via cables. Nevertheless, electrical connectors can still be used to form such connections. For example, a cable can have a plug-type electrical connector (referred to as a "plug connector" in this document) at one or both ends. A PCB can be fitted with a receptacle-type electrical connector (referred to as a "receptacle connector" in this document), into which the plug connector can be inserted to connect the cable to the PCB. A similar arrangement can be used at the other end of the cable to connect it to another PCB, allowing signals to be transmitted between PCBs via the cable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present technology, an electrical connector is provided. The connector may include: a housing including a bottom and a wall at least partially defining an opening adjacent to the bottom; an island extending from the bottom of the housing and into the opening; a plurality of terminals supported by the island; and a shell configured to surround an outer surface of the wall. The shell may include: a plurality of first portions configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall; a plurality of second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall; and a plurality of hooks engaging an edge of the wall.

[0008] In some embodiments, the wall of the housing may have a first longer segment and a second longer segment connected to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment. At least one of these first portions of the housing and at least one of these second portions of the housing may be positioned along the first longer segment of the wall. At least one of these first portions of the housing and at least one of these second portions of the housing may be positioned along the second longer segment of the wall. In one example, the number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the first longer segment of the wall may be different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the first longer segment of the wall. In another example, the number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall may be different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall.

[0009] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the wall and the plurality of second portions of the housing may form a plurality of spaces configured to receive a plurality of plug portions of the mating connector when the mating connector is in a mating position with the electrical connector. The plurality of spaces may be arranged such that the electrical connector can have a single mating position with the mating connector. For example, the electrical connector may be a receptacle connector, and the mating connector may be a plug connector. In one example, the plurality of spaces may include: a first space positioned along a first longer segment of the wall, the length of the first space being greater than approximately half the length of the first longer segment in a second direction; and a plurality of second spaces positioned along a second longer segment of the wall, each of the second spaces being less than approximately one-quarter the length of the second longer segment in the second direction. The first space may be configured to receive a strip portion of the mating connector, and each of the second spaces may be configured to receive a leg of the mating connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, the maximum height of the housing in the first direction may be greater than the maximum height of the wall in the first direction. In one example, the wall of the housing may have a first longer segment and a second longer segment connected at four corners to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment. The housing may have four corners configured to mate with the four corners of the wall. The maximum height of the housing may be at two of these four corners. The housing may include a plurality of legs extending in the first direction and configured to engage with a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0011] In some embodiments, the edge of the wall may include a plurality of notches configured to engage with a plurality of hooks on the housing.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present technology, an electrical connector is provided. The connector may include: an insulating housing including a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom around its periphery, the wall including a first longer wall portion and a second longer wall portion, as well as a first shorter wall portion and a second shorter wall portion, defining a cavity. A plurality of electrical terminals may be supported by the insulating housing, wherein mating portions are exposed within the cavity. A housing may surround an outer surface of the wall and may include a first longer housing portion and a second longer housing portion, as well as a first shorter housing portion and a second shorter housing portion. The first longer housing portion may be adjacent to the first longer wall portion and may have a first guide portion and a second guide portion extending beyond the first longer wall. The second longer housing portion may be adjacent to the second longer wall portion. The housing may have a protrusion that engages with the second longer wall.

[0013] In some embodiments, the housing includes a first portion configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall, and a plurality of second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall. Each of these second portions of the housing defines a space between the outer surfaces of the wall, and each of these spaces is configured to receive a portion therein of a mating connector.

[0014] In some example configurations, at least one of these spaces may be positioned along each of the first longer wall portion and the second longer wall portion; and the first portion of the housing may conform to the outer surface of the wall at the first shorter wall portion and the second shorter wall portion. In some example configurations, these spaces may be arranged such that the electrical connector can have a single mating position with the mating connector. In some example configurations, these spaces may include: a first space positioned along the first longer wall portion and having a length greater than approximately half the length of the first longer wall portion in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of second spaces positioned along the second longer wall portion. The length of each of these second spaces may be less than approximately one-quarter the length of the second longer wall portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the protrusion includes a hook that hooks onto the edge of the second longer wall.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first shorter housing portion includes a third guide portion extending over the first shorter wall portion; and the second shorter housing portion includes a fourth guide portion extending over the second shorter wall portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wall has an upper edge. A third guide portion is attached to the first guide portion, and a fourth guide portion is attached to the second guide portion; and the first and second guide portions are separated by segments of the housing having edges aligned with the upper edge of the wall. The third and fourth guide portions are separated by segments of the housing having edges aligned with the upper edge of the wall.

[0018] In some embodiments, the walls of the housing may have four corners, the outer shell has four corners, the four corners of the outer shell coincide with the four corners of the walls, and the maximum height of the outer shell may be at two of these four corners.

[0019] In some embodiments, the edge of the second longer wall includes a notch, and the protrusion extends into the notch such that the protrusion engages with the second longer wall at the notch.

[0020] According to some aspects of the present technology, a method is provided for mating a plug connector and a receptacle connector including an insulating housing and a shell. The method may include aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector by: positioning the plug connector using a guide portion of the shell; engaging a strip extending from the plug connector with a first space located between the shell of the receptacle connector and a shell wall of the receptacle connector, thereby aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector; engaging a plurality of legs extending from the plug connector with a plurality of second spaces located between the shell of the receptacle connector and a shell wall of the receptacle connector; and engaging a cavity of the plug connector with an island extending from the bottom of the shell of the receptacle connector. The method may further include, after alignment, pressing the plug connector against the receptacle connector. The first space may be positioned along a first long side of the receptacle connector. The second spaces may be positioned along a second long side of the receptacle connector. The island may support a plurality of electrical receptacle terminals exposed on the outer surface of the island. The plurality of electrical plug terminals may be exposed on the surface of the cavity and may be configured to engage with these receptacle terminals when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are in a mating position. The mating position may be a single position where the plug connector and the receptacle connector are aligned.

[0021] In some embodiments of this aspect, the direction in which the plug connector is pressed against the socket connector may be orthogonal to the bottom of the housing of the socket connector and to the bottom of the cavity of the plug connector.

[0022] In any of the embodiments discussed herein, the foregoing features may be used alone or in any combination. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The various aspects and embodiments of the present technology disclosed herein are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Items appearing in multiple figures may be indicated by the same reference numerals. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure.

[0024] Figure 1A This is a top perspective view of a socket connector according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0025] Figure 1B This is a bottom perspective view of a plug connector according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0026] Figure 2A This is a front top perspective view of a socket connector according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0027] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A three-dimensional view of the rear top of the socket connector.

[0028] Figure 2C It is in the first disassembly stage. Figure 2A Top 3D view of the socket connector.

[0029] Figure 2D It is in the second disassembly state. Figure 2C Top 3D view of the socket connector.

[0030] Figure 2E yes Figure 2A Top plan view of the socket connector.

[0031] Figure 3A This is a front top perspective view of the housing of a socket connector according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0032] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A three-dimensional view of the rear top of the outer shell.

[0033] Figure 3C yes Figure 3A Top view of the outer shell.

[0034] Figure 4A This is a perspective view of one side of a plug connector according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0035] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A three-dimensional view of the bottom of the plug connector.

[0036] Figure 5A This is a perspective view of a receptacle connector with a cover according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0037] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the top of the lid.

[0038] Figure 5C yes Figure 5A A three-dimensional view of the bottom of the lid.

[0039] Figure 6A This is a perspective view of a terminal assembly according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0040] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A A three-dimensional view of the terminals of the terminal assembly.

[0041] Figure 6C It is in a partially disassembled state. Figure 6A A perspective view of multiple parts of the terminal assembly.

[0042] Figure 6D yes Figure 6A A perspective view of the center strip of the terminal assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The inventors have recognized and understood design techniques for electrical connectors that enable mating plug and socket connectors to occupy a small footprint while providing reliable operation for high-integrity signal interconnection. The techniques and processes described herein can produce compact and robust connectors that are less likely to be damaged during mating, thereby enabling high-performance and compact electronic devices.

[0044] The inventors have further recognized and understood that miniaturized electrical connectors are more likely to be damaged by forces beyond those that may occur during use when a receptacle connector mates with another connector (e.g., a plug connector). While applying force in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the receptacle connector may be preferred during mating of the plug and receptacle connectors, in practice, the user may not be particularly aware of the angle at which the plug connector is oriented relative to the receptacle connector. Consequently, the receptacle connector may be subjected to external forces that are not parallel to its axial direction. This off-axis force can affect the receptacle connector in a way that impacts the integrity of signals passing through it. For example, an off-axis force may cause the receptacle connector to tilt. In some cases, the off-axis force may be sufficient to break the solder joints connecting the metal terminals to the PCB. In other cases, the off-axis force may deform the terminals, shift their position, or alter the signal path through the connector in a way that degrades the integrity of signals passing through the connector.

[0045] Damage can also occur if a user attempts to force the plug into the connector with an incorrect orientation or if the plug and socket are misaligned. For example, when a user attempts to insert a misaligned plug, the socket connector may be subjected to significant force, such as 55 N or more. In addition to damaging the soldered connections of the metal terminals, this force may be sufficient to deform or break one or more portions of the socket connector's insulating housing, including the portion defining the receiving part. The socket connector may then no longer be able to reliably hold the plug, thus creating the possibility of intermittent disconnection between the plug and socket connectors. Consequently, the socket connector may lose its functionality, and consequently, the normal operation of electronic equipment using the socket connector may cease.

[0046] These risks of damage are greater for miniaturized connectors, such as connectors with a terminal center-to-center spacing of 0.6 mm or less, and connectors with a terminal spacing of 0.5 mm or less, 0.4 mm or less, or 0.35 mm or less.

[0047] The various aspects of the techniques and processes described herein can reduce or eliminate the possibility of incorrect orientation of the plug connector during mating operation with the socket connector. The various aspects of the techniques and processes described herein can reduce or eliminate the possibility of misalignment between the plug connector and the socket connector. The various aspects of the techniques and processes described herein can minimize or eliminate the application of damaging forces during mating operation.

[0048] Now turn to the attached diagram. Figure 1A Depicting a device configured to work with a plug connector 2000 ( Figure 1B Example of a matching socket connector 1000.

[0049] Once they are in sync Figure 1A and Figure 1B The receptacle connector 1000 and plug connector 2000 depicted provide a low-profile connection between a printed circuit board (not shown) to which the receptacle connector 1000 can be attached and a plurality of cables (not shown) extending from the plug connector 2000. In the illustrated embodiment, the cables may extend perpendicular to the mating direction of the receptacle connector 1000 and the plug connector 2000. In this respect, the plug connector 2000 can be considered as a right-angle plug connector 200. Figure 1A Direction 1004 in the diagram illustrates the engagement and disengagement directions of a mating pair of connectors and can be considered as the axial direction of the socket connector 1000. In the engaged or mated state, the mating pair may have a small cross-section close to the mounting surface of the circuit board on which the socket connector 1000 can be mounted. For example, in some embodiments, the small cross-section may be less than 15 mm, or less than or equal to 10 mm, or less than or equal to 5 mm.

[0050] It should be understood that the socket connector 1000 can be mated with different types of plug connectors when a small cross-section is not required or desired. For example, the socket connector 1000 can be mated with a plug connector in which the cable extends parallel to the mating direction.

[0051] exist Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the example, the receptacle connector 1000 has a cavity 1118 configured to receive a mating portion 2002 of the plug connector 2000. With proper mating of the plug connector 2000 and the receptacle connector 1000, terminals such as 1122 within the cavity 1118... Figure 6A The terminals of the connector will mate with the corresponding terminals in the plug connector 2000, so that the signal can pass through the mating connector.

[0052] The mating of the plug connector 2000 and the socket connector 1000 can be achieved by moving the mating portion 2002 of the plug connector 2000 along direction 1004 into the cavity 1118 of the socket connector 1000. Proper mating can be achieved by aligning the plug connector 2000 and the socket connector 1000 so that direction 2004 coincides with direction 1004. Both directions 2004 and 1004 are perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board to which the socket connector 1000 is attached. Furthermore, the features of the plug connector 2000 that receive the features of the socket connector 1000 (and vice versa) will be aligned along directions 1004 and 2004, such that relative movement of the connector in directions 1004 and 2004 engages these features. As described in more detail below, the plug connector 2000 and the socket connector 1000 may provide features that align the connectors for engagement by relative movement along directions 1004 and 2004 and resist damage caused by forces that are not aligned with directions 1004 and 2004.

[0053] exist Figure 1A In the diagram, the socket connector 1000 is depicted as a top perspective view, showing the surfaces and structures that contact the plug connector 2000 when it is in the mating position with the socket connector 1000. Similarly, in Figure 1B The image shows a bottom perspective view of the plug connector 2000, illustrating the surfaces and structures that contact the socket connector 1000 when in the mating position.

[0054] Figure 2A A front top perspective view of the socket connector 1000 is depicted, while Figure 2B A rear top perspective view of the socket connector 1000 is depicted. Figure 2C and Figure 2D The receptacle connector 1000 is depicted in a disassembled state. Figure 2E A top plan view of the socket connector 1000 is depicted.

[0055] The receptacle connector may include a housing assembly 1110 and a housing 1150. The housing assembly 1110 may include an insulating housing 1112 having a bottom 1114 and walls 1116 extending from the periphery of the bottom 1114. The bottom 1114 and walls 1116 may define a cavity 1118 of the housing 1112. For example, the walls 1116 may extend vertically from the bottom 1114 of the housing 1112. The bottom 1114 may have a generally rectangular shape, such that the walls 1116 may have two long sides 1116a and two short sides 1116b. The housing assembly 1110 may further include a terminal assembly 1190.

[0056] Island 1120 may extend from bottom 1114 into cavity 1118 of housing 1112. Island 1120 may have a hollow interior and may be configured to accommodate terminal assembly 1190 within the hollow interior. Terminal assembly 1190 may include a plurality of elongated terminals 1122, which may include ground terminals and signal terminals. Island 1120 may include two main surfaces 1120a facing two long sides 1116a of wall 1116, respectively. One or both of the main surfaces 1120a may include channels or grooves 1124 through which multiple portions of terminal 1122 are exposed.

[0057] As described below, the upper edge of the wall 1116 may include recessed portions 1116c, which can engage with the housing 1150. The recessed portions 1116c may be located on one or both of the two long sides 1116a of the wall 1116.

[0058] like Figure 2B As shown, the cavity 1118 of the housing 1112 may have a longer dimension parallel to the long side 1116a of the wall 1116, and a shorter dimension orthogonal to the longer dimension and parallel to the wall 1116. The island 1120 may be elongated along the longer dimension of the cavity 1118 of the housing 1112. Optionally, a guide post (not shown) may extend from the bottom 1114 of the housing 1112 and may be configured to engage with an opening or recess (not shown) in the plug connector 2000. For example, the guide post may be located at or near a diagonally opposite corner of the housing 1112, between a diagonally opposite corner of the island 1120 and a diagonally opposite corner of the wall 1116.

[0059] The housing 1150 of the socket connector 1000 can be configured to surround or encircle the outer surface 1112a of the housing 1112. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1150 is stamped from a sheet of metal formed into the shape shown in the drawing. The ends of that metal strip are joined, for example, by fusion welding or brazing or via mechanical attachments. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1150 completely surrounds the housing 1112, with multiple portions of the housing adjacent to all walls of the housing. In other embodiments, the housing 1150 may have portions adjacent only to some walls of the housing 1112 or portions of one or more walls.

[0060] like Figure 2CAs shown, housing 1112 may include a protrusion 1163 extending laterally from the lower edge of housing 1112. When housing 1112 and outer shell 1150 are assembled together, the protrusion 1163 can serve as a support, with outer shell 1150 positioned on top of these supports. The protrusion 1163 can also serve as a stop to prevent outer shell 1150 from being pushed beyond a predetermined optimal position during placement around housing 1112.

[0061] Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C Top front perspective view, top rear perspective view, and top plan view of housing 1150 are depicted respectively. Housing 1150 may include at least one mating portion 1150a, which mats with and is adjacent to the outer surface 1112a of housing 1112. Housing 1150 may include at least one spaced-apart portions 1150b, 1150b', each of which may be separated from or spaced apart from the outer surface 1112a of housing 1112 to define spaces 1152, 1152' therebetween. In embodiments of the present technology, when housing 1112 and housing 1150 are assembled together, at least some of the mating portions 1150a of housing 1150 are tightly fitted to housing 1112. For example, in Figure 2E In regions A and B, there may be no gap between the housing 1112 and the outer shell 1150.

[0062] In embodiments of this technology, the housing 1150 may have a spaced-apart portion 1150b' on one side and at least one spaced-apart portion 1150b on the opposite side, and the spaced-apart portions may be arranged such that an unspaced portion on one side of the housing 1150 is directly opposite another spaced-apart portion on the opposite side of the housing. This is due to... Figure 2E The dashed lines schematically depict that no area of ​​the spaced-apart portion 1150b' is not directly opposite any area of ​​the spaced-apart portion 1150b on the opposite side of the housing 1150. This configuration facilitates “blind” mating operation by informing the user of any misalignment before the user applies any force to push the receptacle connector 1000 and plug connector 2000 together, where the user may not be able to see one or both of the receptacle connector 1000 and plug connector 2000 when mating them together. Alternatively, the spaced-apart portions 1150b, 1150b' can be configured such that the total length of all the spaced-apart portions 1150b, 1150b' combined is within 20% or even 10% of the length of the long side of the housing 1112. Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3CThe housing 1150 is depicted as including two symmetrically arranged spaced portions 1150b on one long side 1150d of the housing 1150, and a centrally arranged spaced portion on the other long side 1150d of the housing 1150. However, it should be understood that in various other embodiments of the present technology, the housing 1150 may have more than two spaced portions on the two long sides 1150d of the housing 1150, these spaced portions need not be symmetrically arranged, and / or may be one or more spaced portions on one or both short sides 1150c of the housing 1150, or a non-centrally arranged spaced portion on one or both long sides 1150d of the housing 1150.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the mating plug connector may have features that are fitted within spaces 1152, 1152' during mating of the plug connector and the receptacle connector. These features may extend through the mating portion 2002 in direction 2004, such that these features are fitted within spaces 1152, 1152' prior to connector mating. The engagement of these features may allow the mating of the plug connector 2000 in direction 2004 (… Figure 1B ) and regarding the orientation of the socket connector 1004 ( Figure 1A Alignment guides the user to apply force to push the plug connector toward the socket connector, applying a force perpendicular to the substrate to which the socket connector is mounted. This reduces the risk of damage during mating that could interfere with the integrity of signals passing through the mating connector.

[0064] More specifically, the spaces 1152, 1152' defined by the spaced-apart portions 1150b, 1150b' of the housing 1150 can be configured to receive a protrusion of the plug connector 2000. For example, as Figure 1B , Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs depicted, space 1152 can be configured to receive the leg 2010 of plug connector 2000 therein; and space 1152' can be configured to receive the strip member 2012 of plug connector 2000 therein. The spaced portions 1150b, 1150b' allow the user to properly align plug connector 2000 with socket connector 1000 before using force to mate socket connector 1000 and plug connector 2000 together. That is, the user can achieve overall alignment during the initial portion of the mating operation using the spaced portions 1150b, 1150b' of socket connector 1000 and the legs 2010 and strip member 2012 of plug connector 2000. Once aligned, the user can be assured that the force used to push socket connector 1000 and plug connector 2000 together into the final mating position will not damage either socket connector 1000 or plug connector 2000.

[0065] The mating portion 1150a of the outer casing 1150 may include two short sides 1150c adjacent to the two short sides 1116b of the wall 1116, and may include portions of the two long sides 1150d adjacent to the two long sides 1116a of the wall 1116. That is, the mating portion 1150a may include a plurality of mating segments that can mat with portions of the outer surface 1112a of the casing 1112, excluding the spaced portions 1150b. These spaced portions may be arranged along one or both of the two long sides 1150d of the outer casing 1150. Optionally, the spaced portions 1150b may be arranged along one or both of the two short sides 1150c of the outer casing 1150, or along any combination of the two long sides 1150d and the two short sides 1150c.

[0066] A protruding tab 1154a may extend from each of the two short sides 1150c of the housing 1150. The protruding tab 1154a may extend in the axial direction Z of the receptacle connector 1000. Similarly, a leg 1154b may extend from spaced portions 1150b, 1150b' in the axial direction Z of the receptacle connector 1000. The protruding tab 1154a and leg 1154b may be configured to connect to or attach to a PCB board (not shown) on which the receptacle connector 1000 is to be mounted. The protruding tab 1154a and leg 1154b may, for example, be fitted into holes in the PCB. The protruding tab may be soldered to remain within these holes and may also position the entire receptacle connector relative to the PCB, allowing the connector to be properly positioned. After the receptacle connector is attached to the PCB, the protruding tab 1154a and leg 1154b can provide mechanical support for the receptacle connector. In some embodiments, at least one leg 1154b may extend from each of the spaced portions 1150b, and the spaced portions 1150b' may extend at least two legs 1154b.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 1150 includes guides at two of the four corners of the housing. (As can be seen...) Figure 2A As can be seen, a portion of the housing 1150 has an upper edge aligned with the upper edge of the wall 1116, and guides including guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2 extend above the upper edge of the wall 1116. In this example, each guide has a portion extending from the portion of the housing 1150 adjacent to one of the longer walls, and also portions 1150t-3 and 1150t-4 extending from the portion of the housing 1150 adjacent to one of the shorter walls. These extensions join together to form a right angle. These guides help align the plug relative to the socket. For example, a user can move the plug connector 2000 toward the guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2. When the plug connector 2000 engages with the guides, the plug connector 2000 can be aligned such that the legs 2010 and the strip member 2012 are aligned with the corresponding spaced portions 1150b, 1150b' of the socket connector 1000. In this way, users can be guided not to apply downward force until the connector is in a position where downward force is unlikely to damage any of the connectors.

[0068] Aligning the connector via guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2 can generate a force transverse to the insertion direction on the guide. To ensure the receptacle connector 1000 remains mechanically intact, the housing 1150 can be secured to the insulating housing of the receptacle connector at positions where, despite the force applied to guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2, these positions will still resist separation of the housing from the insulating housing.

[0069] like Figure 2D As shown, the housing 1150 may include a first guide portion 1150t-1 and a second guide portion 1150t-2, which are located at each end of the long wall of the housing. Each of the guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2 extends over the housing. The housing may also include a third guide portion 1150t-3 and a fourth guide portion 1150t-4, each of which also extends over the upper edge of the wall 1116 of the housing 1112. The first guide portion 1150t-1 and the third guide portion 1150t-3 may be joined together to form an angle. The third guide portion 1150t-3 may have an inclined upper edge having a first end connected to the upper edge of the first guide portion 1150t-1 and a second end connected to guide portion 1150t-5. The fourth guide portion 1150t-4 may be similar in shape to the third guide portion and may be connected to the second guide portion 1150t-2 and the sixth guide portion 1150t-6.

[0070] It may also include guide portions to help guide the strip from the mating connector into space 1152 (which may also be referred to as an “opening”). The seventh and eighth guide portions 1150t-7 and 1150t-8 may be part of the spaced-apart portion 1150b. Those guide portions may similarly extend above the upper edge of the wall 1116 of the housing 1112. The maximum height of the socket connector 1000 may be located at the upper edge of the first guide portion and / or the second guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2.

[0071] exist Figures 2A to 2D In the example shown, the outer casing can be retained, with protrusions engaging the insulating housing; these protrusions are shaped as hooks. The outer casing 1150 may include hooks 1158 configured to engage with the wall 1116 and secure the outer casing 1150 to predetermined locations on the wall 1116 relative to each other. In some embodiments of this technology, such as... Figure 2A As depicted, hook 1158 can be configured to engage with a notch 1116c on the upper edge of wall 1116, such that in the engaged position, the outer surface of each hook does not protrude beyond the upper edge of wall 1116. For example, the outer surface of each hook 1158 can be structured to align with the upper edge of wall 1116 on one side of wall 1116.

[0072] When the housing 1150 and wall 1116 are in the engaged position such that they are in a predetermined position relative to each other, the mating process for mates of the plug connector 2000 and the socket connector 1000 can be predictably and repeatably performed to achieve the mating position. The hook 1158 and the notch 1116c can be structured to help the user confirm that the housing 1150 and the shell 1112 are correctly oriented relative to each other during the assembly of the socket connector 1000.

[0073] like Figure 5A As depicted, by structuring the hook 1158 to fit into the recess formed by the notch portion 1116c, the housing 1150 advantageously allows the cover 500 to be applied to the receptacle connector 1000 when the receptacle connector 1000 is not mating with the plug connector 2000. The cover 500 can be used to protect the terminals 1122 of the terminal assembly 1190 and to allow the receptacle connector to be picked up by vacuum pliers for placement on a printed circuit board.

[0074] Figure 5B and Figure 5C Top and bottom perspective views of the cover 500 are depicted respectively. Legs 502 can extend vertically from two opposite ends 501a, 501b of the cover 500, and the legs 502 can be structured to insert into the space between each short side 1116b of the island 1120 and the wall 1116 when the cover 500 is in place to protect the terminal 1122. Similarly, tabs 504 can extend vertically from other portions of the cover 500 to restrict movement of the cover 500 relative to the socket connector 1000. In one example, as... Figure 5C As shown, tabs 504 can extend from two opposite sides 503a, 503b of cover 500. Each of the ends 501a, 501b of the cover may have at least one leg 502, and each of the sides 503a, 503b of the cover may have at least one tab 504. That is, when cover 500 is in place to protect terminal 1122, cover 500 may have a flat surface located on top of island 1120.

[0075] The orientation of the socket connector 1000 can be easily determined by the user via the housing 1150, which can be structured to have a high side 1150t. The high side 1150t may have at least one region whose maximum height in the axial Z direction is greater than the height of any other region of the housing 1150. For example, as... Figure 5AAs depicted, the high side 1150t of the housing 1150 may have guide portions 1150t-1 and 1150t-2 with a height greater than any other part of the socket connector 1000. This allows the user to identify, for example, the side of the socket connector 1000 on which the space 1152' for receiving the strip member 2012 of the plug connector 2000 is located. Furthermore, for example, the high side 1150t may advantageously serve as a stop for the cover 500 when the cover 500 is positioned on the socket connector 1000.

[0076] See you later Figure 2C The wall 1116 of housing 1112 may include recesses 1116r configured to receive locking portions 1159 of housing 1150. When the receptacle connector 1000 is in an assembled state, the locking portions 1159 prevent housing 1150 from slipping off housing 1112. For example, the recesses 1116r may be provided on one or both of the two long sides 1116a of wall 1116, and the locking portions 1159 may be provided on one or both of the two long sides 1150d of housing 1150. When housing 1150 and housing 1112 are assembled together, the locking portions 1159 can lock with the recesses 1116r to form a snap-fit ​​connection and prevent housing 1150 from moving relative to housing 1112. The recesses 1116r may be formed partially or completely through the thickness of wall 1116. The housing 1150 may be formed of metal, and the locking portion 1159 may be a portion of the housing 1150 that has been cut and bent to form a resilient tab or latch that engages with the recessed portion 1116r. The housing 1150 may also include keyholes 1160, which are structured to engage with barbs 1161 on the housing 1112, such that when the housing 1150 and housing 1112 are assembled together, the keyholes 1160 and barbs 1161 prevent the housing 1150 from sliding relative to the housing 1112. For example, the housing 1150 may be resilient enough that it can slightly buckle during assembly so that the barbs 1161 can engage with the keyholes 1160. Each barb 1161 can be structured to have an angled surface on one side and a protruding surface on the opposite side, which allows the barb 1161 to be easily snapped into place via the angled surface during assembly and locked into place via the protruding surface after assembly, so that the housing 1150 and the shell 1112 cannot be easily separated from each other.

[0077] Figure 6A A perspective view of the terminal assembly 1190 of the housing assembly 1110 is depicted. Figure 6B As depicted, the terminal 1122 of the terminal assembly may include a ground terminal 1122a and a signal terminal 1122b. Figure 6CAn detached view of the terminal assembly 1190 is depicted, in which some terminals of the terminal 1122 are hidden to reveal various structural aspects of the terminal assembly 1190.

[0078] Terminal assembly 1190 may include a first terminal strip 1172a and a second terminal strip 1172b, and a central strip 1174 that can be sandwiched between the first terminal strip 1172a and the second terminal strip 1172b when the terminal assembly 1190 is in an assembled state. Each terminal 1122 (i.e., 1122a, 1122b) may have a mounting portion 1122c, a middle portion 1122d, and a tail portion 1122e. The central strip 1174 may be formed of an electrical loss material.

[0079] The mounting portion 1122c, which can be hooked relative to the middle portion 1122d, can be configured to be mounted onto the PCB using, for example, SMT soldering or other bonding techniques. The tail portion 1122e can be hooked relative to the middle portion 1122d. Figure 6B In the diagram, the tail portion 1122e is shown hooked relative to the middle portion 1122d in a first direction, and the mounting portion 1122c is shown hooked in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. It should be understood that... Figure 6B The configuration shown is merely an example, and terminals 1122a and 1122b may have other configurations different from those shown.

[0080] Mounting portion 1122c can be considered as the fixed end of terminal 1122, since mounting portion 1122c is intended to be fixed to, for example, a PCB (not shown). Conversely, tail portion 1122e can be considered as the free distal end of terminal 1122, since tail portion 1122e is unrestrained and can instead move in response to forces applied to the various portions of terminal 1122, including forces applied by plug connector 2000 when mating with receptacle connector 1000 in which terminal 122 is disposed. For example, mounting portion 1122c can extend through first terminal strip 1172a and second terminal strip 1172b, such that mounting portion 1122c can be exposed externally on housing assembly 1110 to enable connection (e.g., solder connection) to mounting portion 1122c.

[0081] Terminals 1122 can be arranged in two parallel rows, sandwiching the central strip 1174 in between. The mounting portion 1122c of terminal 1122 can be configured as a hook opposing the central strip 1174. Terminals 1122 can be molded into place in the first terminal strip 1172a and the second terminal strip 1172b to form these two parallel rows. Alternatively, the first terminal strip 1172a and the second terminal strip 1172b can be positioned against terminal 1122 to hold terminal 1122 in place within the two parallel rows.

[0082] The central strip 1174 may include a support portion 1174a that can extend along the length of the central strip 1174, and a protrusion 1174b that extends laterally from the central strip 1174 and is structured to contact the grounding terminal 1122a. For example, each of the grounding terminals 1122a in the two parallel rows on the first terminal strip 1172a and the second terminal strip 1172b can be separated from the other grounding terminal 1122a in the same row by a pair of signal terminals 1122b; the protrusion 1174b may be structured to contact the middle portion 1122d of the grounding terminal 1122a, but may not be connected to the signal terminal 1122b.

[0083] The middle portion 1122d and the tail portion 1122e can extend into the internal cavity of the island 1120, so that the segment of each terminal 1122 can be exposed through the channel or slot 1124 in the island 1120 and can contact the corresponding terminal in the plug connector 2000.

[0084] Each of the first terminal strip 1172a and the second terminal strip 1172b may include a protrusion 1172c structured to be received in an opening 1174c in the central strip 1174. For example, the protrusion 1172c of the first terminal strip 1172a may be staggered relative to the protrusion 1172c of the second terminal strip 1172b, such that two adjacent openings 1174c may receive one protrusion 1172c of the first terminal strip 1172a and one protrusion 1172c of the second terminal strip 1172b. When the terminal assembly 1190 is in the assembled state, the protrusion 1172c in the opening 1174c may be used to prevent the terminal 1122 from shifting or offset.

[0085] Electrical connectors according to the technology described herein can be implemented in different configurations. Example configurations include combinations of configurations (1) to (12), as follows:

[0086] (1) An electrical connector comprising: a housing including a bottom and a wall at least partially defining an opening adjacent to the bottom; an island extending from the bottom of the housing and into the opening; a plurality of terminals supported by the island; and a shell configured to surround an outer surface of the wall, wherein the shell includes: a plurality of first portions configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall; a plurality of second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall; and a plurality of hooks configured to engage with an edge of the wall.

[0087] (2) The electrical connector as described in construction 1, wherein: the wall of the housing has a first longer segment and a second longer segment connected to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment, at least one of the first portions of the housing and at least one of the second portions of the housing are positioned along the first longer segment of the wall, and at least one of the first portions of the housing and at least one of the second portions of the housing are positioned along the second longer segment of the wall.

[0088] (3) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 2, wherein the number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the first longer segment of the wall is different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the first longer segment of the wall.

[0089] (4) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 3, wherein the number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall is different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall.

[0090] (5) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 4, wherein the outer surface of the wall and the plurality of second portions of the housing form a plurality of spaces, the plurality of spaces being configured to receive the plurality of mating portions of the mating connector when the mating connector is in a mating position with the electrical connector.

[0091] (6) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of spaces are arranged such that the electrical connector has a single mating position with the mating connector.

[0092] (7) The electrical connector constructed as described in any one of 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of spaces comprises: a first space positioned along a first longer segment of the wall, the length of the first space being greater than approximately half the length of the first longer segment in a second direction; and a plurality of second spaces positioned along a second longer segment of the wall, each of the second spaces being less than approximately one-quarter the length of the second longer segment in the second direction.

[0093] (8) The electrical connector constructed as described in any one of 1 to 7, wherein: the first space is configured to receive the strip portion of the mating connector, and each of the second spaces is configured to receive the leg of the mating connector.

[0094] (9) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 8, wherein the maximum height of the housing in a first direction is greater than the maximum height of the wall in that first direction.

[0095] (10) An electrical connector as described in any one of constructions 1 to 9, wherein: the wall of the housing has a first longer segment and a second longer segment connected at four corners to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment, the housing has four corners configured to mate with the four corners of the wall, and the maximum height of the housing is at two of the four corners.

[0096] (11) An electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 9, wherein the housing includes a plurality of legs extending in the first direction and configured to engage with a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0097] (12) The electrical connector as described in any one of 1 to 11, wherein the edge of the wall includes a plurality of notches configured to engage with the plurality of hooks of the housing.

[0098] Electrical connectors according to the technology described herein can be implemented in different configurations. Example configurations include combinations of configurations (13) to (21), as follows:

[0099] (13) An electrical connector comprising: an insulating housing including a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom around the periphery of the bottom; an island extending from the bottom of the housing and spaced apart from the wall of the housing, wherein the island supports a plurality of electrical terminals; and a housing configured to surround an outer surface of the wall, wherein the housing includes: a first portion configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall; a plurality of second portions spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall; and a plurality of hooks configured to engage an edge of the wall.

[0100] (14) The electrical connector as described in construction 13, wherein each of the second portions of the housing defines a space between the outer surfaces of the wall, and each of these spaces is configured to receive a portion of the mating connector therein.

[0101] (15) The electrical connector as described in any one of 13 to 14, wherein: the wall includes a first longer wall portion and a second longer wall portion, and a first shorter wall portion and a second shorter wall portion, at least one of these spaces being positioned along each of the first longer wall portion and the second longer wall portion, and a first portion of the housing conforming to the outer surface of the wall at the first shorter wall portion and the second shorter wall portion.

[0102] (16) The electrical connector as described in any one of 13 to 15, wherein the number of the second portions of the housing positioned along the first longer wall portion is different from the number of the second portions of the housing positioned along the second longer wall portion.

[0103] (17) The electrical connector according to any one of constructions 13 to 16, wherein the spaces are arranged such that the electrical connector has a single mating position with the mating connector.

[0104] (18) The electrical connector according to any one of constructions 13 to 17, wherein the spaces include: a first space positioned along the first longer wall portion, the length of the first space being greater than about half the length of the first longer wall portion in the length direction; and a plurality of second spaces positioned along the second longer wall portion, each of the second spaces being less than about one-quarter the length of the second longer wall portion in the length direction.

[0105] (19) The electrical connector according to any one of constructions 13 to 18, wherein the maximum height of the housing in the height direction is greater than the maximum height of the wall in the height direction.

[0106] (20) The electrical connector as described in any one of 13 to 19, wherein: the wall of the housing has four corners, the outer shell has four corners, the four corners of the outer shell coincide with the four corners of the wall, and the maximum height of the outer shell is at two of the four corners.

[0107] (21) The electrical connector as described in any one of constructions 13 to 20, wherein the edge of the wall includes a plurality of notches configured to engage with the plurality of hooks of the housing.

[0108] Methods for mating plug connectors and socket connectors according to the technology described herein may include various processes. Example methods include combinations of processes (22) to (23), as follows:

[0109] (22) A method of mating a plug connector with a receptacle connector, the method comprising: aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector by engaging a strip extending from the plug connector with a first space located between a housing of the receptacle connector and a housing wall of the receptacle connector; engaging a plurality of legs extending from the plug connector with a plurality of second spaces located between a housing of the receptacle connector and a housing wall of the receptacle connector; engaging a cavity of the plug connector with an island extending from the bottom of the housing of the receptacle connector; and, after the alignment, pressing the plug connector against the receptacle connector, wherein: the first space is positioned along a first long side of the receptacle connector, the second spaces are positioned along a second long side of the receptacle connector, the island supports a plurality of electrical receptacle terminals exposed on an outer surface of the island, the plurality of electrical plug terminals are exposed on a surface of the cavity and configured to engage with the receptacle terminals when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are in a mating position, and the mating position is a single position in which the plug connector and the receptacle connector are aligned.

[0110] (23) The method of process 22, wherein the direction in which the plug connector is pressed against the socket connector is orthogonal to the bottom of the housing of the socket connector and to the bottom of the cavity of the plug connector.

[0111] in conclusion

[0112] It should be understood that various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made to the structures, constructions, and methods discussed above, and such changes, modifications, and improvements are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein. Furthermore, while advantages of the invention have been pointed out, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the invention will include every described advantage. Some embodiments may not achieve any of the features advantageously described herein. Therefore, the preceding descriptions and figures are merely illustrative.

[0113] It should be understood that certain aspects of this technology can be implemented as one or more methods, and the actions performed as part of the methods of this technology can be ordered in any suitable manner. Therefore, embodiments can be constructed in which actions are performed in an order different from that shown and / or described, which may include some actions being performed simultaneously even though they are shown and / or described as sequential actions in various embodiments.

[0114] Various aspects of the present invention can be used alone, in combination, or in various arrangements not precisely discussed in the embodiments described above, and therefore are not limited in their application to the details and arrangements of the components set forth in the foregoing description or shown in the drawings. For example, an aspect described in one embodiment can be combined in any way with aspects described in other embodiments.

[0115] The use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to modify an element in the specification and claims does not imply any priority, precedence, or order of an element relative to another element, or the temporal order of the actions of the method of execution, but is merely used as a label to distinguish an element or action with a specific name from another element or action with the same name (but using ordinal terms) to differentiate elements or actions.

[0116] All definitions used herein should be understood to supersede dictionary definitions, definitions in referenced documents, and / or general meanings of the terms being defined.

[0117] As used herein, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, the indefinite article “a / kind (a and an)” should be understood as “at least one / kind”.

[0118] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" in relation to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean any one or more elements selected from the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than those expressly specified in the list of elements as referred to by the phrase "at least one," whether related to or unrelated to those expressly specified elements.

[0119] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase “equal” or “identical” combining two values ​​(e.g., distance, width, etc.) means that the two values ​​are identical within manufacturing tolerances. Thus, two values ​​being equal or identical may mean that the two values ​​differ from each other by ±5%.

[0120] In the specification and claims, the phrase “and / or” as used herein should be understood to mean “any one or both” of the elements so combined, that is, the elements are combined in some cases and separate in others. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be understood in the same way, that is, “one or more” of the elements so combined. Other elements may optionally exist in addition to those specifically indicated by the “and / or” statement, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically indicated. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language (such as “comprising”), a reference to “A and / or B” can in one embodiment refer only to A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only to B (optionally including elements other than A); and in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0121] As used herein in the specification and claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when dividing multiple items in a list, “or” or “and / or” should be interpreted as inclusive, that is, including at least one of the multiple elements or the list of elements, but also including multiple elements, and optionally including additional unlisted items. Only terms that clearly indicate the opposite, such as “only one of…” or “exact one of…” or “consisting of…” as used in the claims, refer to including exactly one of the multiple elements or the list of elements. In general, when followed by an exclusive term (such as “either of the two,” “one of…,” “only one of…,” or “exact one of…”), the term “or” as used herein should only be interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative (i.e., “one or the other but not both”). When used in the claims, “consisting substantially of…” should have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0122] Furthermore, the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of terms such as “including,” “comprising,” “consisting of,” “having,” “containing,” and “involving,” and their variations, is intended to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as any additional items.

[0123] If used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” can be interpreted as within ±20% of the target value in some embodiments, within ±10% of the target value in some embodiments, within ±5% of the target value in some embodiments, and within ±2% of the target value in some embodiments. The terms “approximately” and “about” can be equal to the target value.

[0124] As used herein, the term "substantially" can be interpreted as meaning within 95% of the target value in some embodiments, within 98% of the target value in some embodiments, within 99% of the target value in some embodiments, and within 99.5% of the target value in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the term "substantially" can be equal to 100% of the target value.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: A housing, the housing including a bottom and a wall that at least partially defines an opening adjacent to the bottom, the wall including a shorter segment extending parallel to a first direction and a longer segment extending parallel to a second direction different from the first direction; An island that extends from the bottom of the shell and into the opening; Multiple terminals supported by the island; as well as An outer casing configured to surround the outer surface of the wall, wherein the outer casing includes: Multiple first parts, which are configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall; Multiple second parts, which are spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall; and Multiple hooks, each of which engages with the top edge of the wall. The outer surface of the wall and the plurality of second portions of the housing define a plurality of spaces extending parallel to the wall and configured to receive a plurality of mating portions of the mating connector therein when the mating connector is in a mating position mating with the electrical connector; and These multiple spaces include: A first space extending parallel to the second direction, the first space having a first extent, and A second space extending parallel to the second direction, the second space having a second range different from the first range.

2. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The wall of the housing has a first longer segment and a second longer segment connected to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment. At least one of the first portions of the housing and at least one of the second portions of the housing are positioned along the first longer segment of the wall, and At least one of the first portions of the housing and at least one of the second portions of the housing are positioned along the second longer segment of the wall.

3. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the first longer section of the wall is different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the first longer section of the wall.

4. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The number of at least one of the first portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall is different from the number of at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall.

5. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The multiple spaces are arranged such that the electrical connector has a single mating position that mates with the mating connector.

6. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The first space is positioned along a first longer segment of the wall and has a first length greater than half the length of the first longer segment, the first length extending parallel to the second direction; and The second space is positioned along the second longer segment of the wall and has a second length less than one-quarter of the length of the second longer segment, the second length extending parallel to the second direction.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The first space is configured to receive the strip-shaped portion of the mating connector, and The second space is configured to receive the legs of the mating connector.

8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The maximum height of the outer casing in the height direction is greater than the maximum height of the wall in the height direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The walls of the housing have a first longer segment and a second longer segment that connect to the first shorter segment and the second shorter segment at the four corners. The outer casing has four corners, which are configured to align with the four corners of the wall. The maximum height of the shell is at two of these four corners.

10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The housing includes multiple legs that extend parallel to the height direction and are configured to engage with a printed circuit board (PCB).

11. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The top edge of the wall includes a plurality of notches configured to engage with a plurality of hooks on the housing.

12. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Multiple protrusions extend laterally from the outer surface of the wall at the lower edge of the wall, and these multiple protrusions are configured to support the housing thereon and restrict the position of the housing relative to the shell.

13. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, At least some of the plurality of first portions of the housing conform to the outer surface of the wall of the housing such that there is no gap between the outer surface of the wall and the at least some of the plurality of first portions of the housing.

14. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The housing includes multiple keyholes configured to engage with multiple barbed snaps extending from the outer surface of the housing, and, When the housing is assembled with the casing, these keyholes and barbs prevent the housing from moving relative to the casing.

15. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The housing includes multiple locking portions configured to engage with multiple recesses in the outer surface of the housing, and... When the housing is assembled with the casing, these locking portions and these recessed portions prevent the housing from moving relative to the casing.

16. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, At least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the first longer segment of the wall and at least one of the second portions of the housing positioned along the second longer segment of the wall do not have portions positioned opposite each other when viewed in a plan view.

17. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating housing includes a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom around its periphery, the wall including a first longer wall portion and a second longer wall portion, as well as a first shorter wall portion and a second shorter wall portion, and defining a cavity; Multiple electrical terminals, which are supported by the insulating housing and have mating portions exposed in the cavity; as well as The outer casing, which surrounds the outer surface of the wall, in: The housing includes a first longer housing portion and a second longer housing portion, as well as a first shorter housing portion and a second shorter housing portion. The first longer housing portion is adjacent to the first longer wall portion and has a first guide portion and a second guide portion extending parallel to and above the first longer wall portion, the first guide portion and the second guide portion being configured to guide the mating connector when the mating connector is mated with the electrical connector. The second longer outer shell portion is adjacent to the second longer wall portion, and The housing further includes a protrusion that engages with the second, longer wall portion.

18. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein: The housing includes: The first part, which is configured to conform to the outer surface of the wall, and Multiple second parts spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall. Each of these second portions of the housing defines the space between the outer surfaces of the wall, and Each of these spaces extends parallel to the outer surface of the wall and is configured to receive a portion of the mating connector therein.

19. The electrical connector of claim 18, wherein, At least one of these spaces is positioned along each of the first longer wall portion and the second longer wall portion, and The first portion of the housing fits into the outer surface of the wall at the first shorter wall portion and the second shorter wall portion.

20. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein, The protrusion includes a hook that hooks onto the edge of the second, longer wall portion.

21. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein: The first shorter outer shell portion includes a third guide portion that extends above and parallel to the first shorter wall portion; The second shorter housing portion includes a fourth guide portion that extends above and parallel to the second shorter wall portion.

22. The electrical connector of claim 21, wherein: The wall has an upper edge; The third guide section is attached to the first guide section; The fourth guide section is attached to the second guide section; and The first guide portion and the second guide portion are separated by segments of the housing, which have edges aligned with the upper edge of the wall; as well as The third and fourth guide portions are separated by segments of the housing, which have edges aligned with the upper edge of the wall.

23. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein, The shell has four corners. The outer casing has four corners, which are configured to align with the four corners of the wall. The maximum height of the shell is at two of these four corners.

24. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein, The edge of the second longer wall includes a notch, and the protrusion extends into the notch such that the protrusion engages with the second longer wall at the notch.

25. A method of mating a plug connector with a receptacle connector, the receptacle connector including an insulating housing and a shell, the method comprising: Align the plug connector with the socket connector in the following manner; Use the guide portion of the housing to position the plug connector; The strip extending from the plug connector engages with the first space located between the housing of the socket connector and the housing wall of the socket connector. Multiple legs extending from the plug connector engage with multiple second spaces located between the housing of the socket connector and the housing wall of the socket connector; as well as The cavity of the plug connector engages with the island extending from the bottom of the housing of the socket connector; as well as After this alignment, press the plug connector against the socket connector. in The first space is positioned along the first long side of the socket connector. These second spaces are positioned along the second long side of the socket connector. The island supports multiple electrical socket terminals exposed on its outer surface. Multiple plug terminals are exposed on the surface of the cavity and are configured to engage with these socket terminals when the plug connector and the socket connector are in the mating position. The mating position is the single point where the plug connector and the socket connector are aligned.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The direction in which the plug connector is pressed against the socket connector is orthogonal to the bottom of the socket connector's housing and to the bottom of the plug connector's cavity.

Images