Electrical connector assembly and plug connector and socket connector thereof

Abstract

The present application is an electric connector assembly, which comprises a plug connector and a socket connector. The plug connector comprises a plug body, a terminal module and a cable. The plug connector has an extending direction. The terminal module comprises a mating surface, an insulator and a plurality of plug terminals embedded in the insulator. The cable is connected to the plug terminals. The socket connector comprises a socket body and a conductive sheet. The socket body has an obliquely extending receiving cavity. The conductive sheet is disposed on a circuit board. The socket body is mounted on the circuit board. The plug connector is inserted into the receiving cavity. The plug terminals are mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive sheet. The oblique plug-in of the present application simplifies the transmission path of the cable to the circuit board.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, which includes mating plug connectors and socket connectors. [Background Technology]

[0002] In traditional connection systems that connect two circuit boards, the two connectors of the cable are plugged into socket connectors mounted on the circuit board, and then the signal is transmitted to the active component via the circuit board's wiring, or via an adapter through the active component's electrical connector. Regardless of the connection method, socket connectors on the circuit board are unavoidable.

[0003] Therefore, our company aims to design a more efficient and component-saving electrical connection system. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that simplifies the electrical connection between cables and circuit boards.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an electrical connector assembly, comprising a plug connector and a socket connector that are mated to each other; the plug connector includes a plug body, a terminal module and a cable, the plug connector has an extending direction, the terminal module includes a mating surface inclined to the extending direction, an insulator and a plurality of plug terminals embedded in the insulator, and the cable is connected to the plug terminals; the socket connector includes a socket body and a conductive plate, the socket body has an inclined extending receiving cavity, the conductive plate is disposed on a circuit board, and the socket body is mounted on the circuit board; the plug connector is inserted into the receiving cavity, and the plug terminals are mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive plate.

[0006] The present invention adopts another technical solution as follows: a plug connector, which defines an extension direction, the plug connector includes a plug body, a plug terminal and a cable, the plug body is provided with a mating surface inclined to the extension direction, the plug terminal includes a fixing part fixed to the plug body, a contact part exposed on the mating surface and a soldering pin; the cable extends rearward from the plug body and is electrically connected to the soldering pin of the plug terminal; the contact part of the plug terminal extends inclinedly from the fixing part along a direction deviating from the extension direction and has a lowest point, the lowest point constituting a contact point for mechanical and electrical connection with a socket connector.

[0007] The present invention adopts another technical solution as follows: a socket connector, including a socket body and a conductive sheet; the socket body includes a base plate and a receiving cavity extending upward from the base plate, the base plate having a through opening; the conductive sheet is disposed on a circuit board, the socket body is mounted on the circuit board, and the conductive sheet on the circuit board is exposed in the through opening.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the tilted plug of the present invention has a conductive plate of the socket connector placed on the circuit board, which simplifies the transmission path of the cable to the circuit board. [Attached Image Description]

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective of the 3D view, in which the circuit board has been removed.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded 3D view of the socket connector.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A 3D view showing the two connectors separated from each other.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A 3D view showing the two connectors separated from each other.

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly along the dashed line AA.

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly along the dashed line BB.

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 5 Exploded 3D view of the plug connector.

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A more detailed 3D view of the plug connector.

[0020] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A three-dimensional view from another angle.

[0021] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 3D exploded view of the intermediate terminal module and grounding component.

[0022] Figure 14 yes Figure 13A perspective view from another angle.

[0023] Figure 15 is Figure 13 A perspective view of the further decomposition of the middle terminal module and the grounding part.

[0024] Figure 16 is Figure 15 A perspective view from another angle.

[0025] Figure 17 is Figure 15 A perspective exploded view of the first unit and the cable in the middle.

[0026] Figure 18 is Figure 15 A perspective exploded view of the second unit and the cable in the middle.

[0027] Figure 19 is Figure 17 A perspective view from another angle.

[0028] Figure 20 is Figure 18 A perspective view from another angle.

[0029] Figure 21 is Figure 6 A bottom view of the plug connector in the middle.

[0030]

Description of Main Component Symbols

[0031] Electrical connector assembly 30 Side plate 613a Welding part 662 Socket Connector 500 docking surface 6131 Grounding terminal 664 Main body / socket body 510 Terminal slot 616 Signal terminal 666 Containment cavity 512 618 bumps Cable 670 513 through-pass Locking fastener 620 Conductive core 672 Guide slot 514 Locking protrusion 622 Shielding layer 674 Bottom wall 5151 Fixing plate 624 Grounding component 680 Downward-sloping wall 5152 Side barbs 6241 End Arm 681 Upward inclined wall 5153 Elasticity refers to 626 Elasticity refers to 682 End wall 5154 Opening 628 Hole 684 5161 Terminal module 630 Elastic sheet 686 Locking hole 5162 Unit 1, 640 Hole 688 Circuit board 550 First terminal 644 Spare plate 689 Grounding conductive sheet 552 Contact point 6441 Grounding component 690 554 signal conductive sheet Insulator 642 Holes 694, 698 Conductive sheet group 556 Bump 6421 Elasticity index 692 Grounding strip 557 Terminal slot 643 696 convex plate Plug Connector 600 Unit 2, 650 Spare plate 699 Body / Plug Body 610 651 protruding post 701 protruding post Space 614 Containment space 6521 Hole 702 Rib 6141 Bumps 656, 657, 659 Hole 703 Downward tilting plate 611 Notch 658 Chamfer A Projection 612 660 horizontal bars Chamfer B Upward tilting plate 613 Contact part 661 Extension direction CC

Detailed Implementation Modes

[0032] For better understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation modes.

[0033] Refer Figure 1-21As shown, the electrical connector assembly 30 of the present invention includes a plug connector 600 and a socket connector 500 that can be mated together. The socket connector 500 includes a circuit board 550 and a body 510 made of insulating material, or socket body, mounted on the circuit board 550 to distinguish it from the plug body. The circuit board 550 is provided with a plurality of grounding conductive plates 552 and a plurality of signal conductive plates 554. In a specific embodiment, a pair of signal conductive plates 554 and grounding conductive plates 552 are arranged alternately, and the grounding conductive plates 552 and signal conductive plates 554 are arranged to form two conductive plate groups 556. Two longitudinally elongated grounding strips 557 are provided on one side of the conductive plate groups 556. The body 510 is provided with a receiving cavity 512, which extends downward and connects to the circuit board 550 through two longitudinally elongated through holes 513. Each through hole 513 is aligned with a conductive plate group 556 to expose the conductive plates 552 and 554. The receiving cavity 512 extends upward at an angle and penetrates through to the outside, serving to accommodate the plug connector 600. Viewed from the side, the receiving cavity 512 forms an acute angle with the circuit board. In this embodiment, the body 510 includes a bottom wall 5151, a lower inclined wall 5152, an upper inclined wall 5153, and an end wall 5154 connecting the bottom wall, lower inclined wall, and upper inclined wall. These walls together form the receiving cavity 512, which extends at an angle. The bottom wall 5151 is parallel to the circuit board, allowing it to be mounted on the circuit board 550. The body 510 has a pair of guide grooves 514 formed on the upper surface of the lower inclined wall 5152. The upper inclined wall 5153 has a locking groove 5161 on its lower surface.

[0034] The plug connector 600 includes an insulated body 610, or plug body, a terminal module 630 housed within the body, and a locking member 620, which is installed within a space 614 of the body. The body 610 includes a lower inclined plate 611 and an upper inclined plate 613. The lower inclined plate 611 has two protrusions 612, which are received within corresponding guide grooves 514 when the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector. The lower inclined plate 611 has a chamfered portion B, which, together with the terminal module 630, forms a mating surface 6131, as described in detail below. The space 614 is formed by protruding ribs 6141 of the upper inclined plate. The locking member 620 includes a fixing plate 624, which has side barbs 6241 and a pair of openings 628. The side barbs 6241 are fixed to the body by interference. Figure 9As shown, the opening 628 can be fixed to a pair of protrusions 618 further provided on the body, thus fixing the fixing plate to the body 610. The elastic finger 626 bends backward from the front end of the fixing plate 624 and has a pair of locking protrusions 622. The locking member 620 of the plug connector and the rib 6141 are inserted into the locking groove 5161, and the locking protrusions 622 are engaged in the locking hole 5162. The front end of the body has a row of terminal slots 616. The plug connector of this embodiment has 18 pairs of differential terminals, and the spacing between each adjacent terminal is 0.5 mm.

[0035] The main body 610 can be a one-piece or two-piece design. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the lower inclined plate 611 is provided with a pair of holes 703, and the terminal module 630 is provided with protrusions 651 inserted into the holes 703. The upper inclined plate 613 is provided with a pair of holes 702 on its upper and lower surfaces, and the terminal module 630 is provided with protrusions 701 inserted into the holes 702. A pair of side plates 613a extend vertically from both ends of the upper inclined plate 611, thereby covering the terminal module 630.

[0036] Terminal module 630 includes a first unit 640 and a second unit 650. The first unit is located above the second unit and protrudes forward. The first unit 640 includes a row of first terminals 644 and an insulator 642 for fixing the first terminals 644. The first terminals are elastic structures. The row of first terminals 644 is fixed to the insulator 642 by injection molding. The insulator 642 has a chamfered portion A at its front end, which is coplanar with the chamfered portion B of the body 610, forming a mating surface 6131. ​​The insulator 642 is provided with a row of terminal slots 643. The row of first terminals 644 includes signal terminals 666 and ground terminals 664 arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction. Adjacent signal terminals form a differential terminal pair. The contact portion 661 of the first terminal 644 is received in the terminal slot 616 at the front end of the body 610. The contact portion 661 extends downward at an angle and has an arc-shaped contact point 6441. The welding part 662 of the differential terminal pair is fixed together with the conductive core 672 of the cable 670 by welding. The grounding terminal 664 is integrated by a horizontal bar 660. The shielding layer 674 of the cable is mechanically and electrically connected to the horizontal bar 660.

[0037] A grounding element 680 made of metal is fixed to the insulator 642. The grounding element 680 is placed above the cable, with a row of elastic fingers 682 extending forward from its front edge. The elastic fingers 682 press against and contact the cable's shielding layer 674. A pair of end arms 681 extend forward, abutting against the side of the insulator. The holes 684 formed therein engage with protrusions 6421 on the side of the insulator. The elastic tabs 686 bent at the upper end of the end arms 681 abut against or are welded to the crossbar 660. Holes 688 are provided on the side of the grounding element, and the holes 688 engage with the protrusions 657 on the side of the second unit. The grounding element also has a plurality of stamped spacers 689, which are inserted between adjacent cables 670 to separate them.

[0038] Similarly, the second unit 650 includes a row of second terminals 654 and an insulator 652 injection-molded into the second terminals. The insulator 652 is formed with a plurality of bumps 656, 657, 659 and recesses 658. The bumps 657 are received in holes 688 of the grounding plate 680. The second terminals 654 include a plurality of alternating differential terminal pairs 666 and grounding terminals 664. The contact portion 661 of the second terminal 654 is received in a terminal groove 643 provided in the insulator of the first unit, and the solder portion 662 of the differential terminal pair is soldered to the conductive core 672 of the cable 670. All grounding terminals 664 are connected together by a crossbar, and the cable shielding layer 674 is mechanically and electrically connected to the crossbar 660. A metal grounding component 690 also has holes 694 and 698 that engage with holes 656 and 658, and an elastic finger 692 presses against the shielding layer 674 to achieve mechanical and electrical connection to the shielding layer 674. A tab 696 engages with a recess 658 and contacts a crossbar 660. A spacer 699 separates the cables.

[0039] The insulator 652 of the second unit forms an upwardly open receiving space 6521 on its upper surface, and the first unit 640 is received within the receiving cavity 6521. Figure 17-18 The rear end of the insulator 642 of the first unit is placed within the receiving space 6521, while the front end is located in front of the receiving cavity 6521. The contact portion 661 of the second terminal is located below the insulator 642 of the first unit. The contact portion 661 of the first terminal is located below the upper inclined plate. (See reference...) Figure 7-8 As shown, in the first and second terminals, the contact portion 661 extends forward from the fixing portion 663, offset from the extending direction CC of the plug connector. The fixing portion 663 is embedded in the insulator. The contact portion 661 has lowest points 6441 and 6541, which constitute the contact points 6441 and 6541. The first and second terminals together constitute the plug terminal, and the two insulators and the body constitute the plug body, which supports the plug terminal. Of course, the plug connector can also be manufactured in other ways.

[0040] As shown in the figure Figure 7-8 As shown, the plug connector 600 is inserted into the socket body 510 of the receptacle connector at a downward angle (the same as the extension direction CC of the plug connector). The contact points 6441 and 6541 of the contact portion 661 of the plug terminal elastically abut against the conductive plates 552 and 554 of the circuit board. The chamfered portions A and B of the terminal module 630 are parallel to each other with the circuit board 550. A feature of this embodiment is that the plug connector includes an inclined mating surface 6131, that is, the mating surface 6131 is inclined relative to the extension direction CC of the connector. It is inserted into the receptacle connector assembly 500 at an angle, and the terminals of the receptacle connector are replaced by the conductive plates of the circuit board, while the body only provides a mating and fixing function. The cable 670 is located on the upper surface of the insulator 652, and the cable 670 is located below the insulator 652, as shown. Figure 14-15 As shown.

[0041] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention should still fall within the scope of this patent.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising a plug connector and a socket connector that mat with each other; characterized in that: The plug connector includes a plug body, a terminal module, and a cable. The plug connector has an extending direction. The terminal module includes a mating surface inclined to the extending direction, an insulator, and a plurality of plug terminals embedded in the insulator. The cable is connected to the plug terminals. The socket connector includes a socket body and a conductive plate. The socket body has an inclined extending receiving cavity. The conductive plate is laid flat on the circuit board. The socket body is mounted on the circuit board. The plug connector is inserted into the receiving cavity, the plug terminals are mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive plate, the mating surface is parallel to the circuit board, and the plug terminals extend along the extension direction and are inclined to the circuit board.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug connector is provided with a locking element, and the socket body is provided with a locking groove and a locking hole to accommodate the locking element.

3. A plug connector having an extension direction, the plug connector comprising a plug body, plug terminals, and a cable, the plug body having a mating surface inclined to the extension direction, the plug terminals comprising a fixing portion fixed to the plug body, a contact portion exposed on the mating surface, and soldering pins; the cable extending rearward from the plug body and electrically connected to the soldering pins of the plug terminals; the contact portion of the plug terminals extending inclinedly from the fixing portion along a direction deviating from the extension direction and having a lowest point, the lowest point constituting a contact point for mechanical and electrical connection with a socket connector mounted on a circuit board, the mating surface being parallel to the circuit board, and the fixing portion of the plug terminals extending along the extension direction and inclined to the circuit board.

4. The plug connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plug body includes an insulating body, and the plug connector includes a terminal module. The terminal module includes the aforementioned plug terminals and an insulator for fixing the plug terminals. The insulator is provided with a chamfered portion, and the insulating body is provided with a chamfered portion. The two chamfered portions together constitute the aforementioned mating surface.

5. The plug connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The terminal module includes two rows of plug terminals and two rows of cables. One row of cables is installed on the upper surface of the insulator, and the other row of cables is installed on the lower surface of the insulator.

6. The plug connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the plug terminals includes a signal terminal and a ground terminal. The soldered lead of the ground terminal is integrally connected to the crossbar located at the rear end, and the soldered lead of the signal terminal is cut off from the crossbar. The cable is provided with a shielding layer that mechanically and electrically connects to the crossbar. The plug connector includes two grounding members, and the grounding members are provided with elastic fingers that elastically abut against the shielding layer.

7. The plug connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plug terminals include a row of first terminals and a row of second terminals; the insulating body has a row of terminal holes at its front end, and the contact portion of the first terminal is housed therein; the insulator has a row of terminal holes, and the contact portion of the second terminal is housed therein.

8. A socket connector, comprising a socket body and a conductive sheet; the socket body includes a base plate and a receiving cavity extending obliquely upward from the base plate, the base plate having a through opening; the conductive sheet is laid flat on a circuit board, the socket body is mounted on the circuit board, and the conductive sheet on the circuit board is exposed within the through opening, the extending direction of the receiving cavity is obliquely related to the circuit board, the receiving cavity is used to receive a plug connector, the plug connector having a plug terminal extending along the extending direction and obliquely related to the circuit board, the plug terminal having a lowest point, the lowest point constituting a contact point for mechanical and electrical connection with the conductive sheet, the plug connector having a mating surface parallel to the circuit board, and the contact point being exposed on the mating surface.

9. The socket connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The socket body includes an upper inclined wall, a lower inclined wall, and two end walls extending from the base plate. The base plate, the upper inclined wall, the lower inclined wall, and the two end walls together define the receiving cavity. A guide groove is provided on the upper side of the lower inclined wall.

10. The socket connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The downward-facing side of the inclined wall is provided with a fastening groove.

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