Electrical Connector and Connector Assembly

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector assembly, comprising: an electrical connector, including an insulating body, a terminal module received in the insulating body, and a metal housing covering the insulating body. The insulating body has a slot, and the metal housing has a first side wall and two second side walls that are connected to the first side wall and are disposed opposite to each other left and right. A docking cavity is formed between the first side wall and the insulating body. The electrical connector is provided with an anti-fooling protrusion, and the anti-fooling protrusion protrudes outward relative to the second side wall and is adjacent to the docking cavity; a docking connector, including a main body portion, a docking portion, a plug board, and two guard plates. The docking portion, the plug board, and the guard plates all protrude backward relative to the main body portion. The two guard plates are located on opposite sides of the docking portion and the plug board. A notch is provided between the plug board and the guard plates. When the electrical connector and the docking connector are correctly plugged together, the notch receives the anti-fooling protrusion. When the docking connector is incorrectly inserted into the electrical connector, the guard plates abut against the anti-fooling protrusion to prevent the docking connector from being inserted into the electrical connector at a wrong angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector and a connector assembly, and more particularly to an electrical connector and a connector assembly having an anti-fooling function.

Background Art

[0002] An electrical connector device generally includes a wire-end connector and a board-end connector that are docked with each other. When the wire-end connector and the board-end connector are correctly plugged in, normal data transmission between the connectors, stable signal docking, and stable power supply can be achieved; when the wire-end connector is inserted into the board-end connector at the wrong angle, not only the above functions cannot be realized, but also the terminals will be damaged to a certain extent, thereby affecting the service life of the entire connector. Most electrical connector devices on the market today do not adopt a positive and negative plug structure. Therefore, when using a general electrical connector device, special attention needs to be paid to whether the electrical connector is correctly plugged in to avoid damage to the electrical connector caused by incorrect plugging. However, most of the existing non-positive and negative plug electrical connector devices do not have an anti-fooling structure. Therefore, when the wire-end connector and the board-end connector are docked, there are often cases where the wire-end connector and the board-end connector are inserted in the reverse direction.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new electrical connector device with an anti-fooling function to overcome the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above problems of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a new electrical connector and a connector assembly, which can not only achieve the anti-fooling effect but also avoid the risk of the electrical connector being forcibly inserted.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a connector assembly, including: an electrical connector, including an insulating body, at least one terminal module received in the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body. The insulating body has a docking surface and a slot recessed backward from the docking surface. The metal shell has a first side wall and two second side walls that are connected to the first side wall and are disposed opposite to each other left and right. The first side wall extends forward beyond the docking surface, and a docking cavity is formed between the first side wall and the insulating body. The electrical connector is provided with at least one anti-fooling protrusion. The anti-fooling protrusion protrudes outward relative to the second side wall and is adjacent to the docking cavity. The anti-fooling protrusion is formed by bending and extending outward in the left-right direction from the front edge of the second side wall. Looking from front to back, the anti-fooling protrusion is disposed corresponding to the docking cavity in the left-right direction.

[0006] A docking connector comprises a main body, a docking part, an inserting plate and two protective plates, wherein the docking part, the inserting plate and the protective plates all protrude backward relative to the main body, and the two protective plates are located on opposite sides of the docking part and the inserting plate, and a notch is provided between the inserting plate and each of the protective plates, the docking part is inserted into the slot, the docking connector is provided with a docking terminal at the docking part and forms an electrical connection with the terminal module, and the protective plate is located on the outer side of the second side wall, when the electrical connector and the docking connector are correctly plugged in, the notch accommodates the anti-foolproof protrusion, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the docking connector, and when the docking connector is inserted into the electrical connector at a wrong angle, the protective plate abuts against the anti-foolproof protrusion, thereby preventing the docking connector from being inserted into the electrical connector incorrectly.

[0007] Furthermore, the anti-mistake protrusion does not extend beyond the outer surface of the guard plate on the side away from the docking part in the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction is defined as the lateral direction. The anti-mistake protrusion does not extend beyond the outer surface of the plug plate on the side away from the docking part in the lateral direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the fool-proof protrusion protrudes in the left-right direction beyond the surface of the guard plate on the corresponding side facing the docking portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the second side wall extends backward to form a first extension plate and a second extension plate, a limiting groove is formed between the first extension plate and the second extension plate, the insulating body is provided with a first wall portion, two second wall portions and a third wall portion, the two second wall portions are located on the left and right sides of the slot, the second wall portion connects the first wall portion and the third wall portion, the first wall portion and the first side wall form the docking cavity, the second wall portion protrudes outward to form a first limiting convex strip, the first limiting convex strip is close to the first wall portion and away from the third wall portion, and the first limiting convex strip is engaged with the limiting groove.

[0010] Further, the first extension plate is adjacent to the docking cavity along the left-right direction.

[0011] The present invention also provides an electrical connector, comprising:

[0012] An insulating body, at least one terminal module received in the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body. The insulating body has a docking surface and a slot recessed backward from the docking surface for inserting a docking connector. The metal shell has a first side wall and two second side walls connected to the first side wall and arranged opposite to each other left and right. The first side wall extends forward beyond the docking surface, and a docking cavity is formed between the first side wall and the insulating body. The electrical connector is provided with at least one anti-misinsertion protrusion, which protrudes outward relative to the second side wall and is adjacent to the docking cavity to prevent the docking connector from being misinserted. The anti-misinsertion protrusion is formed by bending and extending outward in the left-right direction from the front edge of the second side wall. When viewed from the front to the back, the anti-misinsertion protrusion is arranged corresponding to the docking cavity in the left-right direction.

[0013] Further, a first extension plate and a second extension plate are formed by the second side wall extending backward. A limiting groove is formed between the first extension plate and the second extension plate. The insulating body is provided with a first wall portion, two second wall portions, and a third wall portion. The two second wall portions are located on the left and right sides of the slot. The second wall portions connect the first wall portion and the third wall portion. The first wall portion and the first side wall form the docking cavity. The second wall portion protrudes outward to form a first limiting rib, which is close to the first wall portion and far from the third wall portion. The first limiting rib is engaged with the limiting groove.

[0014] Further, the length of the first extension plate is less than the length of the second extension plate. At least one convex bump on one of the first extension plate and the second extension plate interferes with the first limiting rib, and the other is provided with a reference surface that abuts against the first limiting rib.

[0015] Further, the first extension plate is adjacent to the docking cavity in the left-right direction.

[0016] Further, the first limiting rib extends forward beyond the rear end surface of the slot.

[0017] Further, the second wall portion further has a second limiting rib protruding outward. The second extension plate is limited between the second limiting rib and the first limiting rib.

[0018] Further, the second extension plate has an elastic piece extending forward. The second wall portion is recessed inward with a groove, and the elastic piece is engaged with the groove to prevent the metal shell from loosening forward from the insulating body.

[0019] Furthermore, the insulating body is provided with an installation groove and at least one receiving groove. The installation groove penetrates through the insulating body backward and is located behind the insertion slot. The installation groove communicates with the insertion slot. The terminal module is received in the installation groove. The terminal module includes an insulating block, a row of conductive terminals provided on the insulating block, and a grounding piece mounted on the insulating block. A row of the conductive terminals are arranged in the left-right direction and include a plurality of grounding terminals and a plurality of signal terminals. The conductive terminal has an elastic arm protruding forward from the insulating block. The elastic arm is provided with a contact portion protruding into the insertion slot for making electrical contact with the docking connector. The grounding piece has a body that cooperates with the insulating block. A plurality of grounding legs and at least one limiting piece extend from the body. A plurality of the grounding legs are in corresponding abutment with a plurality of the grounding terminals. The limiting piece protrudes forward relative to the body and is inserted into the receiving groove.

[0020] Furthermore, the limiting piece correspondingly shields two adjacent ones of the plurality of signal terminals for transmitting differential signals.

[0021] Furthermore, the body has at least one relief hole. The insulating block is correspondingly provided with at least one protrusion for the relief hole. The body protrudes a protrusion toward the relief hole. The protrusion is engaged with the corresponding protrusion.

[0022] Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as the lateral direction. The insulating body is provided with an installation groove. The installation groove penetrates through the insulating body backward and is located behind the insertion slot. A plurality of ribs are protruded on the inner wall surfaces of the installation groove oppositely arranged in the lateral direction. The insulating body respectively protrudes into the installation groove to form a protruding portion on the left and right sides of the installation groove. Opposite surfaces of the protruding portion in the lateral direction are respectively provided with an alignment surface. There are two terminal modules. The two terminal modules are stacked in the lateral direction and received in the installation groove. The protruding portion extends into the space between the two terminal modules. The alignment surface is in abutting contact with the terminal module. The rib is in interference fit with the terminal module.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] By providing the anti-misinsertion protrusion on the electrical connector, and making the anti-misinsertion protrusion protrude outward relative to the second side wall and adjacent to the docking cavity, misinsertion of the docking connector can be prevented; by providing a notch between the insertion plate and the guard plate of the docking connector, when the electrical connector is correctly plugged into the docking connector, the anti-misinsertion protrusion can be well received in the notch, and when the electrical connector is wrongly plugged into the docking connector, the anti-misinsertion protrusions on both sides of the second side wall will abut against the guard plate, thereby preventing the docking connector from being inserted into the electrical connector at the wrong angle, so it can well achieve the anti-misinsertion effect.

Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 Is a perspective view of the electrical connector and the docking connector in the connector assembly of the present invention before docking;

[0026] Figure 2 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of the combined connector assembly in;

[0027] Figure 3 Is Figure 2 A side view of;

[0028] Figure 4 Is Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along the A-A direction;

[0029] Figure 5 Is Figure 1 A perspective exploded view of the electrical connector of the present invention in;

[0030] Figure 6 Is Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another perspective showing only the insulating body and its rear end in;

[0031] Figure 7 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of the electrical connector partially cut in another perspective in;

[0032] Figure 8 Is Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing only the electrical connector after hiding the docking connector and the circuit board in;

[0033] Figure 9 Is Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view taken along the B-B direction;

[0034] Figure 10 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of another perspective showing the front end of the electrical connector in;

[0035] Figure 11 Is Figure 10 A cross-sectional view taken along the C-C direction;

[0036] Figure 12 For Figure 11 a partially enlarged view of D in

[0037] Figure 13 For Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the connector assembly being inserted in the wrong direction in

[0038] Electrical connector 100 Insulating body 1 Butt surface 11 Slot 12 First wall portion 13 Second wall portion 14 Groove 141 Third wall portion 15 First limiting rib 16 Second limiting rib 17 Mounting groove 18 Rib 181 Protrusion 182 Alignment surface 183 Receiving groove 19 Terminal module 2 Insulating block 21 Bump 211 Conductive terminal 22 Grounding terminal 22G Signal terminal 22S Fixing portion 221 Elastic arm 222 Contact portion 2221 Welding portion 223 Grounding piece 23 Body 231 Relief hole 232 Protrusion 233 Grounding pin 234 Limiting piece 235 Metal housing 3 Anti-fooling protrusion 30 First side wall 31 Second side wall 32 Third side wall 33 First extension plate 34 Second extension plate 35 Limiting groove 36 Elastic piece 37 Convex hull 38 Reference plane 39 Docking cavity 4 Docking connector 200 Main body portion 201 Docking portion 202 Insertion plate 203 Guard plate 204 Notch 205 Docking terminal 206 Circuit board 300

Detailed implementation manners

[0039] For better understanding of the purpose, structure and features of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners.

[0040] As Figure 1 shown, the connector assembly of the present invention includes an electrical connector 100 and a docking connector 200. The electrical connector 100 is installed on a circuit board 300, and the docking connector 200 is a cable connector.

[0041] As Figure 5 shown, the electrical connector of the present invention is the electrical connector 100 in the above-mentioned connector assembly. The electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, two terminal modules 2 received in the insulating body 1, and a metal shell 3 covering the outside of the insulating body 1. In other embodiments, one terminal module 2 may be provided and installed on the insulating body 1, and the required number of the terminal modules 2 is set according to requirements.

[0042] As Figure 1 and Figure 5 shown, the insulating body 1 has a docking surface 11, which is the front end surface of the insulating body 1. A slot 12 is recessed backward from the docking surface 11 for the docking connector 200 to be inserted. The insulating body 1 is provided with a first wall portion 13, a third wall portion 15, and two second wall portions 14 connecting the first wall portion 13 and the third wall portion 15. The first wall portion 13 and the third wall portion 15 are oppositely arranged, and the two second wall portions 14 are located on the left and right sides of the slot 12. Thus, the first wall portion 13, the two second wall portions 14, and the third wall portion 15 surround the slot 12 on all sides.

[0043] As Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, a groove 141 is concavely provided on the outer surface of each of the second wall portions 14. The outer surface of the second wall portion 14 protrudes forward from back to form a first limiting rib 16 and a second limiting rib 17. The first limiting rib 16 is close to the first wall portion 13 and far from the third wall portion 15. The first limiting rib 16 protrudes forward beyond the rear end surface of the slot 12, while the second limiting rib 17 is close to the third wall portion 15 and far from the first wall portion 13, and the second limiting rib 17 does not protrude forward beyond the rear end surface of the slot 12. The length of the second limiting rib 17 is less than the length of the first limiting rib 16. Define the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction as the transverse direction. The first limiting rib 16 and the second limiting rib 17 on the same second wall portion 14 are arranged side by side and spaced apart in the transverse direction.

[0044] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the insulating body 1 further has a mounting groove 18 and a plurality of receiving grooves 19. The mounting groove 18 is recessed forward from the rear end surface of the insulating body 1. The mounting groove 18 is located behind the slot 12 and communicates with the slot 12. A plurality of ribs 181 are protrudingly provided on the inner wall surfaces of the mounting groove 18 opposite to each other in the transverse direction. The insulating body 1 protrudes into the mounting groove 18 respectively from the left and right sides of the mounting groove 18 to form a protruding portion 182. Opposite surfaces of the protruding portion 182 in the transverse direction are respectively provided with an alignment surface 183.

[0045] As Figure 5 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 shown, the two terminal modules 2 are stacked in the transverse direction and then are loaded into the mounting groove 18 together from back to front. The protruding portion 182 extends into the space between the two terminal modules 2, and the terminal module 2 abuts against and contacts the alignment surface 183. The alignment surface 183 serves as a reference surface, which can accurately position the two terminal modules 2 at a predetermined position in the insulating body 1, and the rib 181 is in interference fit with the terminal module 2, so that the terminal module 2 is stably fixed to the insulating body 1.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, each terminal module 2 includes an insulating block 21, a row of conductive terminals 22 provided on the insulating block 21, and a grounding piece 23 mounted on the insulating block 21. In other embodiments, each terminal module 2 may be provided with two rows of the conductive terminals 22 provided on the insulating block 21, and the number of rows of the conductive terminals 22 is set according to customer requirements.

[0047] As Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the insulating block 21 has a plurality of bumps 211 protruding in the transverse direction and arranged at intervals in the left-right direction; a row of the conductive terminals 22 are arranged in the left-right direction and include a plurality of ground terminals 22G and a plurality of signal terminals 22S. In this embodiment, the signal terminals 22S and the ground terminals 22G are arranged in an alternating manner of G-S-S-G-S-S, wherein two adjacent signal terminals 22S are used to transmit differential signals. Each conductive terminal 22 has a fixing portion 221 fixed to the insulating block 21, a spring arm 222 protruding forward from the insulating block 21, and a welding portion 223 protruding backward from the insulating block 21. The spring arm 222 is provided with a contact portion 2221 protruding into the slot 12 for making electrical connection with the docking connector 200.

[0048] As Figure 5 and Figure 9 shown, the grounding plate 23 has a body 231 cooperating with the insulating block 21 and a plurality of relief holes 232. A plurality of the bumps 211 respectively protrude into a plurality of the relief holes 232. The body 231 has a plurality of protrusions 233. In this embodiment, the protrusions 233 protrude into the relief holes 232. Only some of the relief holes 232 are correspondingly provided with the protrusions 233, and the other part of the relief holes 232 are not provided with the protrusions 233. The protrusions 233 generally extend in the front-rear direction. One end of the protrusion 233 is connected to the edge of the relief hole 232, and the other end is in a cantilever structure. The protrusion 233 is engaged with the corresponding bump 211.

[0049] As Figure 5 and Figure 9 shown, the grounding plate 23 extends from the body 231 to form a plurality of grounding legs 234 and a plurality of limiting pieces 235. The plurality of grounding legs 234 extend in the front-rear direction and are correspondingly abutted against a plurality of the ground terminals 22G. In this embodiment, the plurality of grounding legs 234 are distributed on the front and rear sides of the body 231. The same ground terminal 22G contacts the front and rear two aligned grounding legs 234 to form a double-point contact. The plurality of limiting pieces 235 are distributed at the front end of the body 231. The plurality of limiting pieces 235 protrude forward relative to the body 231 and are respectively inserted into a plurality of the receiving grooves 19. Each limiting piece 235 correspondingly shields two adjacent ones of the plurality of signal terminals 22S for transmitting differential signals. In this way, the arrangement of the receiving grooves 19 prevents the limiting pieces 235 from being short-circuited with the corresponding signal terminals 22S, and at the same time satisfies the shielding of the corresponding signal terminals 22S.

[0050] As Figure 1 、 Figure 5 and Figure 10As shown, the metal housing 3 has a first side wall 31, two second side walls 32 that are connected to the first side wall 31 and are arranged opposite to each other left and right, and a third side wall 33 that is connected to the two second side walls 32 and is arranged opposite to the first side wall 31 in the lateral direction. The first side wall 31 corresponds to the first wall portion 13 of the insulating body 1, the second side wall 32 corresponds to the second wall portion 14 of the insulating body 1, the third side wall 33 corresponds to the third wall portion 15 of the insulating body 1. The first side wall 31 extends forward beyond the docking surface 11 of the insulating body 1, and also extends forward beyond the second side wall 32 and the third side wall 33. A docking cavity 4 is formed between the first side wall 31 and the first wall portion 13 of the insulating body 1.

[0051] As Figure 1 and Figure 5 shown, the electrical connector 100 is provided with two anti-fooling protrusions 30. The two anti-fooling protrusions 30 protrude outward relative to the second side wall 32 and are adjacent to the docking cavity 4, and are arranged close to the docking surface 11 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the anti-fooling protrusion 30 is formed by bending and extending outward from the front edge of the second side wall 32 in the left-right direction. As Figure 10 shown, when viewed from the front to the back, the anti-fooling protrusion 30 is arranged corresponding to the docking cavity 4 in the left-right direction. In other embodiments, one anti-fooling protrusion 30 may be provided. Of course, the anti-fooling protrusion 30 may be integrally protruded outward from the insulating body 1 and extend beyond the outer surface of the second side wall 32.

[0052] As Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the metal housing 3 further has a first extension plate 34 and a second extension plate 35 that extend backward from each of the second side walls 32. The length of the first extension plate 34 is less than the length of the second extension plate 35. A limiting groove 36 is formed between the first extension plate 34 and the second extension plate 35. The first limiting rib 16 of the insulating body 1 is inserted into the limiting groove 36. The first extension plate 34 is adjacent to the docking cavity 4 in the left-right direction. The first extension plates 34 on the same side of the left and right sides of the slot 12 are located directly behind the anti-fooling protrusion 30. The second extension plate 35 is located between the first limiting rib 16 and the second limiting rib 17.

[0053] As Figure 8As shown, one of the first extension plate 34 and the second extension plate 35 is provided with a plurality of convex hulls 38, and the other is provided with a reference surface 39. The first limiting rib 16 abuts against the reference surface 39, and the convex hull 38 is in interference fit with the first limiting rib 16. In this embodiment, the convex hull 38 is provided on one side of the first extension plate 34 facing the second extension plate 35 in the lateral direction, and the reference surface 39 is provided on one side of the second extension plate 35 facing the first extension plate 34 in the lateral direction. In other embodiments, the convex hull 38 may be provided on the second extension plate 35, and the reference surface 39 may be provided on the first extension plate 34. The convex hull 38 may also be provided with one, or other quantities according to requirements.

[0054] As Figure 5 and Figure 7 shown, the metal housing 3 further has a spring piece 37 extending forward from back on the second extension plate 35. The spring piece 37 is engaged with the groove 141 to prevent the metal housing 3 from loosening forward from the insulating body 1.

[0055] As Figure 1 and Figure 4 shown, the docking connector 200 includes: a main body portion 201, a docking portion 202, a plug-in plate 203, and two guard plates 204. The docking portion 202, the plug-in plate 203, and the guard plates 204 all protrude backward relative to the main body portion 201. The two guard plates 204 are located on opposite sides of the docking portion 202 and on opposite sides of the plug-in plate 203. The plug-in plate 203 and the guard plates 204 both extend backward beyond the docking portion 202, and the guard plates 204 also extend backward beyond the plug-in plate 203. A notch 205 is provided between the plug-in plate 203 and each guard plate 204. In this embodiment, the guard plates 204 are asymmetric relative to the docking portion 202 in the lateral direction. Both ends of the guard plates 204 in the lateral direction extend beyond the docking portion 202, and the distance between the surface of the guard plate 204 facing the notch 205 and the docking portion 202 in the lateral direction is less than the distance between the surface of the guard plate 204 facing away from the notch 205 and the docking portion 202 in the lateral direction. The docking connector 200 is provided with docking terminals 206 at the docking portion 202.

[0056] As Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, when the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are correctly plugged in, the plug board 203 is inserted into the docking cavity 4, the docking part 202 is inserted into the slot 12, the docking terminal 206 forms an electrical connection with the terminal module 2, the guard plate 204 is located on the outer side of the second side wall 32, and the notch 205 accommodates the anti-fool protrusion 30. The anti-fool protrusion 30 protrudes in the left and right directions beyond the surface of the corresponding side of the guard plate 204 facing the docking part 202, and the anti-fool protrusion 30 does not exceed the outer surface of the side of the guard plate 204 away from the docking part 202 in the left and right directions, and the anti-fool protrusion 30 does not exceed the outer surface of the side of the plug board 203 away from the docking part 202 in the lateral direction. In this way, the anti-fool protrusion 30 can be prevented from scratching other electronic components, thereby playing a protective role.

[0057] like Figure 13 As shown, when the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are incorrectly plugged in, the fool-proofing protrusion 30 will abut against the guard plate 204, that is, before the plug plate 203 is incorrectly inserted into the slot 12 and the docking portion 202 is incorrectly inserted into the docking cavity 4, the guard plate 204 will be blocked by the fool-proofing protrusion 30 and cannot be inserted no matter how much force the operator applies, thereby reminding the operator to insert in another direction. Because when the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are correctly plugged in, the fool-proofing protrusion 30 protrudes in the left and right directions beyond the surface of the corresponding side guard plate 204 facing the docking portion 202, when the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are incorrectly plugged in, the fool-proofing protrusion 30 has enough length in the left and right directions to abut against the guard plate 204.

[0058] The electrical connector and connector assembly of the present invention also have the following beneficial effects:

[0059] 1. The fool-proofing protrusion 30 is provided on the electrical connector 100, and the fool-proofing protrusion 30 is extended outward relative to the second side wall 32 and is provided adjacent to the docking cavity 4 to prevent the docking connector 200 from being inserted into the electrical connector 100 by mistake. The notch 205 is provided between the plug plate 203 and the guard plate 204 of the docking connector 200, so that when the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are correctly plugged in, the fool-proofing protrusion 30 can be well accommodated in the notch 205. When the electrical connector 100 and the docking connector 200 are incorrectly plugged in, the fool-proofing protrusions 30 on both sides of the second side wall 32 will abut against the guard plate 204, thereby preventing the docking connector 200 from being inserted into the electrical connector 100 at a wrong angle, thereby achieving a good fool-proofing effect.

[0060] 2. The electrical connector 100 projects the first limiting rib 16 of the insulating body 1 forward beyond the rear end face of the slot 12, and positions the first limiting rib 16 close to the first wall portion 13 and away from the third wall portion 15. When the metal housing 3 is fully assembled with the insulating body 1, the first limiting rib 16 engages with the limiting groove 36 of the metal housing 3, thus effectively preventing the insulating body 1 from swaying in the lateral direction within the metal housing 3. One first limiting rib 16 and one second limiting rib 17 are provided on the same second wall portion 14, and the second extension plate 35 is disposed between the first limiting rib 16 and the second limiting rib 17, so that the metal housing 3 is fixed to the insulating body 1, further preventing the insulating body 1 from swaying in the lateral direction within the metal housing 3.

[0061] 3. The electrical connector 100 is provided with one anti-fooling projection 30 outside each of the two second side walls 32. When the electrical connector 100 is inserted into the docking connector 200 at the wrong angle, even if it is slightly offset and forcefully inserted, the anti-fooling projections 30 on both the left and right sides of the electrical connector 100 can well abut against the guard plate 204. Therefore, compared with other electrical connectors having one or more anti-fooling projections 30 provided on the same side wall (not limited to the second side wall 32 here, it can be the second side wall 32 or the third side wall 33), it has a better effect of preventing offset and forceful insertion.

[0062] 4. The anti-fooling projection 30 corresponds to the docking cavity 4 in the left-right direction. In this way, the size of the notch 206 in the lateral direction does not need to be made relatively large, and thus the size of the guard plate 204 in the lateral direction can be kept relatively wide, ensuring the strength of the guard plate 204.

[0063] 5. The anti-fooling projection 30 is bent and extended outward in the left-right direction along the front edge of the second side wall 32. Once the electrical connector 100 is accidentally misinserted into the docking connector 200, the anti-fooling projection 30 can first come into contact with the guard plate 204 of the docking connector 200, avoiding damage to the plastic on the docking portion 202, the docking terminals 206, the plastic in the slot 12, and the conductive terminals 22 due to misinsertion.

[0064] 6. The docking cavity 4 is located between the first wall portion 13 of the insulating body 1 and the first side wall 31 of the metal housing 3. The first wall portion 13 does not fully fit the first side wall 31. Therefore, the insulating body 1 and the metal housing 3 are not fully fixed and will shake in the lateral direction. To better fix the insulating body 1 in the metal housing 3, the first extension plate 34 is adjacently arranged in the left-right direction to the docking cavity 4, so as to cooperate with the first limiting rib 16 and the second extension plate 35 for limiting, which is more conducive to preventing the insulating body 1 from shaking in the docking cavity 4 in the lateral direction.

[0065] The above detailed description is only for the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made by using the content of this creation specification and the drawings are included in the patent scope of this creation.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, characterized in that, include: An electrical connector, comprising an insulating body, at least one terminal module accommodated in the insulating body, and a metal shell covering the insulating body, the insulating body having a mating surface and a slot formed by being recessed backward from the mating surface, the metal shell having a first side wall, two second side walls connected to the first side wall and arranged opposite to each other on the left and right, the first side wall extending forward beyond the mating surface, a mating cavity formed between the first side wall and the insulating body, the electrical connector having at least one foolproof protrusion, the foolproof protrusion protruding outward relative to the second side wall and arranged adjacent to the mating cavity, the foolproof protrusion being formed by bending outwardly and extending from the front end edge of the second side wall in the left-right direction, and the foolproof protrusion being arranged corresponding to the mating cavity in the left-right direction when viewed from the front to the back; A docking connector comprises a main body, a docking part, an inserting plate and two protective plates, wherein the docking part, the inserting plate and the protective plates all protrude backward relative to the main body, and the two protective plates are located on opposite sides of the docking part and the inserting plate, and a notch is provided between the inserting plate and each of the protective plates, the docking part is inserted into the slot, the docking connector is provided with a docking terminal at the docking part and forms an electrical connection with the terminal module, and the protective plate is located on the outer side of the second side wall, when the electrical connector and the docking connector are correctly plugged in, the notch accommodates the anti-foolproof protrusion, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the docking connector, and when the docking connector is inserted into the electrical connector at a wrong angle, the protective plate abuts against the anti-foolproof protrusion, thereby preventing the docking connector from being inserted into the electrical connector incorrectly.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-mistake protrusion does not extend beyond the outer surface of the guard plate on the side away from the docking part in the left-right direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction is defined as the lateral direction. The anti-mistake protrusion does not extend beyond the outer surface of the plug plate on the side away from the docking part in the lateral direction.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fool-proof protrusion protrudes in the left-right direction beyond the surface of the guard plate on the corresponding side facing the docking portion.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second side wall extends backward to form a first extension plate and a second extension plate, a limiting groove is formed between the first extension plate and the second extension plate, the insulating body is provided with a first wall portion, two second wall portions and a third wall portion, the two second wall portions are located on the left and right sides of the slot, the second wall portion connects the first wall portion and the third wall portion, the first wall portion and the first side wall form the docking cavity, the second wall portion protrudes outward to form a first limiting convex strip, the first limiting convex strip is close to the first wall portion and away from the third wall portion, and the first limiting convex strip is engaged with the limiting groove.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first extension plate is adjacent to the docking cavity along the left-right direction.

6. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating body, at least one terminal module received in the insulating body, and a metal housing covering the insulating body. The insulating body has a docking surface and a slot recessed backward from the docking surface for inserting a pair of docking connectors having a guard plate and a notch. The metal housing has a first side wall and two second side walls connected to the first side wall and arranged opposite to each other left and right. The first side wall extends forward beyond the docking surface, and a docking cavity is formed between the first side wall and the insulating body. It is characterized in that: the electrical connector is provided with at least one anti-misinsertion protrusion, the anti-misinsertion protrusion protrudes outward relative to the second side wall and is adjacent to the docking cavity for preventing the misinsertion of the docking connector. The anti-misinsertion protrusion is formed by bending and extending outward in the left-right direction from the front edge of the second side wall. When viewed from the front to the back, the anti-misinsertion protrusion is arranged corresponding to the docking cavity in the left-right direction; when the electrical connector is correctly plugged into the docking connector, the notch receives the anti-misinsertion protrusion, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the docking connector. When the docking connector is inserted into the electrical connector at a wrong angle, the guard plate abuts against the anti-misinsertion protrusion, thus preventing the docking connector from being wrongly inserted into the electrical connector.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first extension plate and a second extension plate formed by the backward extension of the second side wall. A limiting groove is formed between the first extension plate and the second extension plate. The insulating body is provided with a first wall portion, two second wall portions and a third wall portion. The two second wall portions are located on the left and right sides of the slot. The second wall portions connect the first wall portion and the third wall portion. The first wall portion and the first side wall form the docking cavity. The second wall portion protrudes outward to form a first limiting rib. The first limiting rib is close to the first wall portion and far from the third wall portion. The first limiting rib is engaged with the limiting groove.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The length of the first extension plate is less than the length of the second extension plate. At least one convex bump on one of the first extension plate and the second extension plate interferes with the first limiting rib, and the other is provided with a reference surface abutting against the first limiting rib.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first extension plate is adjacent to the docking cavity in the left-right direction.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first limiting rib extends forward beyond the rear end surface of the slot.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second wall portion further has a second limiting rib protruding outward. The second extension plate is limited between the second limiting rib and the first limiting rib.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second extension plate has an elastic piece extending forward. The second wall portion is recessed inward with a groove. The elastic piece is engaged with the groove to prevent the metal housing from being loosened forward from the insulating body.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The insulating body is provided with an installation groove and at least one receiving groove. The installation groove penetrates through the insulating body backward and is located behind the slot. The installation groove communicates with the slot. The terminal module is received in the installation groove. The terminal module includes an insulating block, a row of conductive terminals provided on the insulating block, and a grounding piece installed on the insulating block. A row of the conductive terminals are arranged left and right and include a plurality of grounding terminals and a plurality of signal terminals. The conductive terminal has a resilient arm protruding forward from the insulating block. The resilient arm is provided with a contact portion protruding into the slot for making electrical contact with the docking connector. The grounding piece has a body cooperating with the insulating block. A plurality of grounding feet and at least one limiting piece extend from the body. A plurality of the grounding feet are correspondingly abutted against a plurality of the grounding terminals. The limiting piece protrudes forward relative to the body and is inserted into the receiving groove.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that: The limiting piece correspondingly shields two adjacent ones of the plurality of signal terminals for transmitting differential signals.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that: The body has at least one relief hole. The insulating block is correspondingly provided with at least one protrusion for the relief hole. The body protrudes a protrusion toward the relief hole. The protrusion is engaged with the corresponding protrusion.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: Define the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction as the transverse direction. The insulating body is provided with an installation groove. The installation groove penetrates through the insulating body backward and is located behind the slot. A plurality of ribs protrude from the inner wall surfaces of the installation groove oppositely arranged in the transverse direction. The insulating body respectively protrudes into the installation groove to form a protruding portion on the left and right sides of the installation groove. Opposite surfaces of the protruding portion in the transverse direction are respectively provided with an alignment surface. There are two terminal modules. The two terminal modules are stacked in the transverse direction and received in the installation groove. The protruding portion extends into the space between the two terminal modules, and the alignment surface is in contact with the terminal module, and the rib is in interference fit with the terminal module.

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