Electrical connector

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrical connector that can cooperate with a mating connector. The electrical connector includes an insulating body, a first row of terminals and a second row of terminals received in the insulating body. The insulating body is provided with a mating socket for the mating connector to be inserted from front to back and a mounting opening communicating with the mating socket. The first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are installed in the mounting opening and are respectively located on opposite sides of the mating socket. The first row of terminals includes a signal terminal pair for transmitting differential signals and a ground terminal provided on one side of the signal terminal pair. The signal terminal pair includes a pair of signal terminals. Each terminal in the first row of terminals includes a tail portion, a contact portion and a body portion located between the tail portion and the contact portion. There is a first center distance between the contact portions of the signal terminal pair, and there is a second center distance between the signal terminal and its adjacent ground terminal. The second center distance is not equal to the first center distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector suitable for transmitting high-speed signals.

Background Art

[0002] Please refer to U.S. Patent No. US8764464 announced on July 1, 2014, which discloses an electrical connector provided with a plurality of terminals. The terminals include a plurality of signal terminal pairs and ground terminals located on both sides of the signal terminal pairs. A ground coupling component is required to be electrically connected to the ground terminals to adjust the performance of the electrical connector as needed. However, the ground coupling component makes the electrical connector complex in composition, not only complex to assemble but also increasing the cost of the electrical connector. Therefore, an improved electrical connector is needed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector capable of transmitting high-speed signals.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: An electrical connector is adapted to cooperate with a mating connector. The electrical connector includes an insulating body, a first row of terminals and a second row of terminals received in the insulating body. The insulating body is provided with a mating socket for the mating connector to be inserted from front to back and an installation opening communicating with the mating socket. The first row of terminals and the second row of terminals are installed in the installation opening and are respectively located on opposite sides of the mating socket. The first row of terminals includes signal terminal pairs capable of transmitting differential signals and ground terminals provided on one side of the signal terminal pairs. The signal terminal pairs include a pair of signal terminals. Each terminal in the first row of terminals includes a tail portion, a contact portion and a body portion located between the tail portion and the contact portion. There is a first center distance between the contact portions of the signal terminal pairs, and a second center distance between the signal terminals and their adjacent ground terminals. The second center distance is not equal to the first center distance.

[0005] Further, the first center distance is greater than the second center distance.

[0006] Further, the electrical connector further includes a first fixing member for fixing the first row of terminals. The body portions all include a fixed portion provided in the first fixing member and a free portion exposed to the air. The center distance of the fixed portions of the signal terminal pairs is equal to the center distance of the tail portions.

[0007] Further, the width of the free portion of the signal terminal pairs is greater than the width of the fixed portion.

[0008] Further, the center distance between the centers of the fixed portions between every two adjacent terminals is equal, and the center distance between the free portions of the signal terminal pair is not equal to the center distance between the free portions of the ground terminal and the adjacent signal terminal.

[0009] Further, the main body portion includes a first free portion located between the contact portion and the fixed portion and a second free portion located between the fixed portion and the tail portion, and the center distance of the first free portion of the signal terminal pair is less than the center distance of the second free portion.

[0010] Further, the center distance of the fixed portion of the signal terminal pair is greater than the center distance of the first free portion and less than the center distance of the second free portion.

[0011] Further, at least a part of the fixed portion of the ground terminal is exposed to the air.

[0012] Further, the second row of terminals includes a second signal terminal pair capable of transmitting differential signals and a second ground terminal provided on one side of the second signal terminal pair. The second signal terminal pair includes a pair of second signal terminals. Each terminal in the second row of terminals includes a second tail portion, a second contact portion that mates with a docking connector, and a second main body portion located between the second tail portion and the second contact portion. There is a third center distance between the second contact portions of the second signal terminal pair, and there is a fourth center distance between the second ground terminal and the adjacent second signal terminal. The third center distance is greater than the fourth center distance.

[0013] Further, the first center distance is equal to the third center distance, and the second center distance is equal to the fourth center distance.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the second center distance of the present invention is not equal to the first center distance, so that the characteristic impedance for transmitting high-speed signals is satisfied, which is beneficial to the transmission of high-speed signals. At the same time, the electrical connector of the present invention has a compact structure, simple assembly, and also reduces the cost of the electrical connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector conforming to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the electrical connector shown from another angle.

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a perspective view of the electrical connector shown from another angle.

[0018] Figure 4 is Figure 2Partial exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 4 Partial exploded view of the electrical connector shown from another perspective.

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 4 Further exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0021] Figure 7 is Figure 5 Further exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0022] Figure 8 is Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connector shown along the A-A direction.

[0023] Figure 9 is Figure 1 Three-dimensional view of the first terminal assembly of the electrical connector shown.

[0024] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Front view of the first row of terminals of the electrical connector shown.

[0025] Figure 11 is Figure 10 Front view of the first row of terminals of the electrical connector shown.

[0026] Figure 12 is Figure 10 Partially enlarged view of the first row of terminals shown.

[0027] Figure 13 is Figure 11 Partially enlarged view of the second row of terminals shown.

[0028]

Description of Main Component Symbols

[0029] Electrical connector 100 Insulation body 10

[0030] First terminal group 30 Second terminal group 50

[0031] Docking socket 11 Mounting opening 12

[0032] Top wall 13 Bottom wall 14

[0033] Side wall 15 Upper through groove 131

[0034] Lower through groove 141 Mounting groove 150

[0035] First row of terminals 31 First fixing member 33

[0036] Signal terminal pair 301, Ground terminal 302

[0037] Tail 310 of signal terminal 303

[0038] Contact portion 320, Main body portion 330

[0039] Fixed portion 331, Free portion 333

[0040] First free portion 341, Second free portion 342

[0041] Center distance L12 between center line C1 and the first free portion 341

[0042] Center distance L13 between center line C2 and the fixed portion 331

[0043] Second center distance L2, Center distance L14 between the second free portions 342

[0044] First center distance L1, Center distance L15 between the tails 310

[0045] Second signal terminal pair 501, Second ground terminal 502

[0046] Second signal terminal 503, Second tail 510

[0047] Second contact portion 520, Second main body portion 530

[0048] Third center distance L3, Fourth center distance L4

[0049] Second row of terminals 51

[0050] The following specific embodiments will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above drawings.

Specific Embodiments

[0051] As Figures 1 to 13 shown, the electrical connector 100 in accordance with the present invention is adapted to cooperate with a mating connector (not shown). The electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 10 and a first terminal group 30 and a second terminal group 50 which are vertically stacked and arranged within the insulating body 10.

[0052] The insulating body 10 includes a docking socket 11 for a docking connector (not shown) to be inserted from front to back, a terminal group mounting opening 12 communicating with the docking socket 11, a top wall 13 arranged parallel to the insertion direction of the docking connector, a bottom wall 14 arranged parallel to the top wall 13, and side walls 15 connecting the top wall 13 and the bottom wall 14. A plurality of upper through grooves 131 penetrating the top wall 13 are provided on the top wall 13, and a plurality of lower through grooves 141 penetrating the bottom wall 14 are provided on the bottom wall 14. A pair of mounting grooves 150 are provided on the insulating body 10. In this embodiment, the pair of mounting grooves 150 are respectively arranged on the two side walls 15. The first terminal group 30 and the second terminal group 50 are mounted in the mounting opening 12 in the up-down direction and are respectively located on opposite sides of the docking socket 11.

[0053] The first terminal group 30 includes a first row of terminals 31 arranged in the left-right direction and a first fixing member 33 for fixing the first row of terminals 31. The first fixing member 33 and the first row of terminals 31 are integrally formed, so as to fix the first row of terminals 31 into a whole. The first row of terminals 31 includes a signal terminal pair 301 capable of transmitting differential signals and a ground terminal 302 arranged on one side of the signal terminal pair 301. In this embodiment, the ground terminal 302 and the signal terminal pair 301 are arranged at intervals. The signal terminal pair 301 includes a pair of signal terminals 303. Each terminal in the first row of terminals 31 includes a tail portion 310, a contact portion 320 for cooperating with the docking connector, and a main body portion 330 located between the tail portion 310 and the contact portion 320.

[0054] The first fixing member 33 is formed transversely on the main body portions 330 of the terminals of the first row of terminals 31. Each of the main body portions 330 includes a fixed portion 331 disposed in the first fixing member 33 and a free portion 333 exposed to the air. The fixed portion 331 of the ground terminal 302 and the corresponding fixed portion 331 of the signal terminal 303 are aligned in the left-right direction. The width of the free portion 333 of the signal terminal pair 301 is greater than the width of the fixed portion 331. The free portion 333 includes a first free portion 341 located between the contact portion 320 and the fixed portion 331 and a second free portion 342 located between the fixed portion 331 and the tail portion 310. The center distance of each part of the signal terminal pair 301 is variable. The center distance between the signal terminal pairs 301 changes from the contact portion 320 to the tail portion 310 as follows: there is a first center distance L1 between the contact portions 320 of the signal terminal pair 301, the center distance L12 between the first free portions 341 is less than the first center distance L1, the center distance L13 between the fixed portions 331 is greater than the center distance L12 between the first free portions 341, the center distance L14 between the second free portions 342 is greater than the center distance L13 between the fixed portions 331, and the center distance L15 between the tail portions 310 is less than the center distance L14 between the second free portions 342. The center distance L15 between the tail portions 310 is equal to the center distance of the fixed portion 331. Among them, the first center distance L1 between the contact portions 320 is the largest. The center distance of the first free portion 341 of the signal terminal pair 301 is not equal to the center distance of the second free portion 342. Specifically, in this embodiment, the center distance L12 between the first free portions 341 of the signal terminal pair 301 is less than the center distance L14 between the second free portions 342.

[0055] The center lines C1 of the respective parts of one of the signal terminals 303 are not on a straight line, and the center lines C2 of the respective parts of one of the ground terminals 302 are located on the same straight line. A second center distance L2 is provided between the signal terminal 303 and the adjacent ground terminal 302, and the second center distance L2 is not equal to the first center distance L1. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first center distance L1 is greater than the second center distance L2. The center distances between every two adjacent terminals of the fixed portions 331 of each of the terminals are equal, that is, the center distance L13 between the fixed portions 331 between the signal terminal pairs 301 is equal to the center distance L23 between the fixed portion 331 of the signal terminal 303 and the fixed portion 331 of the adjacent ground terminal 302. Because the center distance between the signal terminal pairs 301 is variable, the center distance between the free portions 333 of the signal terminal pairs 301 is not equal to the center distance between the free portions 333 of the ground terminal 302 and the adjacent signal terminal 303. Specifically, the center distance L12 between the first free portions 341 of the signal terminal pairs 301 is less than the center distance L13 between the fixed portions 331, such that the center distance L22 between the first free portions 341 of the ground terminal 302 and the adjacent signal terminal 303 is greater than the center distance L23 between the fixed portion 331 of the adjacent ground terminal 302 and the fixed portion 331 of the adjacent signal terminal 303. Similarly, the center distance L14 between the second free portions 342 of the signal terminal pairs 301 is greater than the center distance L13 between the fixed portions 331, such that the center distance L24 between the second free portions 342 of the ground terminal 302 and the adjacent signal terminal 303 is less than the center distance L23 between the fixed portion 331 of the adjacent ground terminal 302 and the fixed portion 331 of the adjacent signal terminal 303. The center distance L25 between the tails 310 of the ground terminal 302 and the adjacent signal terminal 303 is less than the center distance L24 between the second free portions 342 thereof. In the present invention, the center distance refers to the distance between the center line of one terminal and the center line of the corresponding position of another terminal.

[0056] The first fixing member 33 corresponding to the fixed portion 331 of the ground terminal 302 is partially hollowed out, so that at least part of the fixed portion 331 of the ground terminal 302 is exposed to the air. Thereby, the characteristic impedance of the terminal is adjusted so that high-speed signals can be transmitted.

[0057] The second terminal group 50 includes a second row of terminals 51 arranged in the left-right direction and a second fixing member 53 for fixing the second row of terminals 51. The second terminal group 50 is similar to the first terminal group 30. The first row of terminals 31 of the first terminal group 30 and the second row of terminals 51 of the second terminal group 50 form a docking port 8 for docking with a docking connector.

[0058] The second row of terminals 51 also includes a second signal terminal pair 501 capable of transmitting differential signals and a second ground terminal 502 disposed on one side of the second signal terminal pair 501. The second signal terminal pair 501 includes a pair of second signal terminals 503. Each conductive terminal in the second row of terminals 51 includes a second tail portion 510, a second contact portion 520 that mates with a docking connector, and a second body portion 530 located between the second tail portion 510 and the second contact portion 520. There is a third center distance L3 between the second contact portions 520 of the second signal terminal pair 501, and there is a fourth center distance L4 between the second contact portion 520 of the second ground terminal 502 and the second contact portion 520 of the adjacent second signal terminal 503. The third center distance L3 is greater than the fourth center distance L4. The first center distance L1 is equal to the third center distance L3, and the second center distance L2 is equal to the fourth center distance L4. The center distance of the second row of terminals 51 changes from the second contact portion 520 to the second tail portion 510 in the same manner as that of the first row of terminals 31.

[0059] The electrical connector of the present invention adjusts the characteristic impedance of the signal terminals by changing the center distance between the terminals, so that the impedance is matched when the terminals transmit signals, improving the signal transmission rate of the connector, making the structure of the electrical connector more compact, simple and convenient to assemble, and at the same time reducing the cost of the electrical connector.

[0060] The above description is only one implementation manner of the present invention, not all or the only implementation manner. Any equivalent changes made by those of ordinary skill in the art to the technical solution of the present invention by reading the specification of the present invention are covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector capable of mating with a docking connector, the electrical connector comprising an insulating body, a first row of terminals and a second row of terminals received in the insulating body, the insulating body being provided with a docking socket for the docking connector to be inserted from front to back and a mounting opening communicating with the docking socket, the first row of terminals and the second row of terminals being mounted in the mounting opening and located on opposite sides of the docking socket respectively, the first row of terminals comprising a signal terminal pair capable of transmitting differential signals and a ground terminal disposed on one side of the signal terminal pair, the signal terminal pair comprising a pair of signal terminals, each terminal in the first row of terminals comprising a tail portion, a contact portion for mating with the docking connector and a body portion located between the tail portion and the contact portion, characterized in that: There is a first center distance between the contact portions of the signal terminal pair, and there is a second center distance between the contact portion of the ground terminal and the contact portion of the adjacent signal terminal. The second center distance is not equal to the first center distance. The center distance from the contact portion of the pair of signal terminals to the tail is variable to adjust the impedance matching of the terminals. The electrical connector further includes a first fixing member for fixing the first row of terminals. The main body portion includes a fixed portion disposed in the first fixing member and a free portion exposed to the air. The free portion includes a first free portion located between the contact portion and the fixed portion and a second free portion located between the fixed portion and the tail. The center distance of the fixed portion of the signal terminal pair is greater than the center distance of the first free portion and less than the center distance of the second free portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first center distance is greater than the second center distance.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The center distance of the fixed portion of the signal terminal pair is equal to the center distance of the tail.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: The width of the free portion of the signal terminal pair is greater than the width of the fixed portion.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center distance of the fixed portions between every two adjacent terminals is equal, and the center distance between the free portions of the signal terminal pair is not equal to the center distance of the free portions of the ground terminal and the adjacent signal terminal.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: At least a part of the fixed portion of the ground terminal is exposed to the air.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second row of terminals includes a second signal terminal pair capable of transmitting differential signals and a second ground terminal disposed on one side of the second signal terminal pair. The second signal terminal pair includes a pair of second signal terminals. Each terminal in the second row of terminals includes a second tail, a second contact portion for mating with a docking connector, and a second main body portion located between the second tail and the second contact portion. There is a third center distance between the second contact portions of the second signal terminal pair, and there is a fourth center distance between the second ground terminal and the adjacent second signal terminal. The third center distance is greater than the fourth center distance.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein: The first center distance is equal to the third center distance, and the second center distance is equal to the fourth center distance.

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