Socket electrical connector
By introducing an extension and retraction structure for the grounding tab in the USB Type-C socket connector, the strength of the tongue is enhanced, the damage caused by tilted insertion is resolved, filling efficiency is improved, and the stability of the contact segment is ensured.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ACON ADVANCED CONNECTEK SHENZHEN
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing USB Type-C socket connectors are prone to damage and breakage when inserted at an angle, and have low filling efficiency.
A socket electrical connector is designed, which adopts a structure of shielded shell, insulating body and grounding plate. The grounding plate has an extension and a recessed part to enhance the structural strength of the tongue and support the tongue to prevent damage when it is tilted during insertion, while optimizing the filling molding process.
It effectively prevents damage to the tongue when the plug connector is inserted at an angle, improves filling efficiency, reduces the occurrence of incomplete filling, and ensures stable mating of the contact section.
Smart Images
Figure CN115708268B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to a socket electrical connector. Background Technology
[0002] The interface of general electrical connectors is Universal Serial Bus (USB), which is widely used by the public. It has evolved from the USB 2.0 transmission standard to the current USB 3.0 transmission standard with faster transmission speed.
[0003] The appearance, structure, terminal contact method, number of terminals, pitch of each terminal, and pin assignment of existing USB Type-C electrical connectors are all completely different from those of current USB electrical connectors. When a user inserts the plug electrical connector into the socket electrical connector at an angle, the tongue inside the socket electrical connector is pushed and is easily damaged and broken. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides an electrical connector, specifically a socket connector, comprising a shielding shell, an insulating body, multiple terminals, and a grounding plate. The shielding shell includes a receiving groove. The insulating body is disposed in the receiving groove, and has a base and a tongue extending outward from one side of the base. The multiple terminals include multiple contact segments, each contact segment being disposed on two sides of the tongue. The multiple terminals include two first terminal groups and two second terminal groups, each first terminal group and each second terminal group being arranged in a double-row configuration on both sides. The length of each contact segment in each second terminal group is longer than the length of each contact segment in each first terminal group. The grounding plate is located on the tongue and between each first terminal group and each second terminal group. The grounding plate has at least one extension, which is located between the contact segments of at least two adjacent terminals of the multiple second terminal groups.
[0005] Preferably, each first terminal group includes multiple high-speed signal terminals and multiple low-speed signal terminals. The multiple high-speed signal terminals form two groups and are respectively located on both sides of the multiple low-speed signal terminals. Each second terminal group includes multiple power terminals and multiple ground terminals. Each ground terminal is respectively located on both sides of the multiple power terminals. The multiple low-speed signal terminals are located between the multiple power terminals. The multiple high-speed signal terminals in the two groups in the same row are respectively located between adjacent power terminals and ground terminals.
[0006] Preferably, at least one extension is located between the plurality of power terminals and corresponds to each low-speed signal terminal.
[0007] Preferably, the grounding plate includes multiple extensions, each extension being located between adjacent power terminals and grounding terminals, and each extension corresponding to a low-speed signal terminal.
[0008] Preferably, the grounding plate includes multiple extensions, each extension being located between multiple power terminals and between adjacent power terminals and grounding terminals, and each extension corresponding to a low-speed signal terminal and a high-speed signal terminal.
[0009] Preferably, the tongue has a front side and two side sides, the front side is connected to the front edge of the two sides, the two side sides are connected to the two side edges of the two sides, the grounding piece has a latching part on both sides, each latching part protrudes from the two side sides, the front end of each contact segment of each second terminal group is close to the front side, and the front end of each contact segment of each first terminal group is far away from the front side.
[0010] Preferably, the grounding plate has recesses on both sides, each recess being located between adjacent extensions and latching portions, each recess corresponding to a grounding terminal, the recesses being recessed inward toward the base, and one end of each grounding terminal on both sides of the tongue being opposite each other via a notch in the recess.
[0011] Preferably, at least one extension extends forward and is located within the tongue.
[0012] Preferably, the grounding piece includes a recessed portion, which is located between each extension portion and corresponds to multiple power terminals. The recessed portion is concave towards the base portion, and one end of each power terminal located on both sides of the tongue portion is opposite to the other through a notch in the recessed portion.
[0013] Preferably, the grounding plate has connecting portions on both sides, with each connecting portion located at the base.
[0014] In summary, according to some embodiments, the grounding piece extends into the tongue, increasing the structural strength of the tongue. When the plug connector is tilted and mated with the socket connector, the extension supports the tongue, preventing the tilted plug connector from hitting and damaging the tongue. In a preferred embodiment, the grounding piece has a recessed portion, facilitating the filling of the tongue structure with plastic material through the hollowed-out portion, increasing filling efficiency and reducing the occurrence of incomplete molding where the tongue does not cover the front ends of each contact segment.
[0015] The following detailed description of the features and advantages of the present invention is sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. Based on the content disclosed in this specification, the scope of the patent application and the drawings, anyone skilled in the art can easily understand the relevant objectives and advantages of the present invention. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a socket electrical connector based on some embodiments.
[0017] Figure 2This is an exploded view of a socket connector based on some embodiments.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a side cross-sectional view of a socket connector based on some embodiments.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the terminal module based on some embodiments.
[0020] Figure 5 This is a top view schematic diagram of the terminal module based on some embodiments.
[0021] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 5 This is a top-down view of multiple terminals and grounding plates, with extensions on the left and right sides of the grounding plates.
[0022] Figure 7 It is based on Figure 5 This is a top-down view of multiple terminals and a grounding plate, with an extension in the center of the grounding plate.
[0023] Figure 8 It is based on Figure 5 This is a top-down view of multiple terminals and a grounding plate, with extensions in the center and right side of the grounding plate.
[0024] Figure 9 It is based on Figure 5 This is a top-down view of multiple terminals and grounding plates, with extensions in the center and left side of the grounding plate.
[0025] Symbol Explanation
[0026] 100: Socket electrical connector
[0027] 1: Shielding shell
[0028] 10: Receiving slot
[0029] 2: Insulating body
[0030] 21: Base
[0031] 22: Tongue slice
[0032] 22a: Face
[0033] 22b: Front side
[0034] 22c: Side views
[0035] 3:Terminal
[0036] 31: First terminal group
[0037] 311: High-speed signal terminal
[0038] 312: Low-speed signal terminal
[0039] 32: Second terminal group
[0040] 321: Power terminal
[0041] 322: Grounding terminal
[0042] 33: Contact section
[0043] 34: Connecting segment
[0044] 35: Welding section
[0045] 4: Grounding plate
[0046] 41: Extension
[0047] 42: Buckle section
[0048] 43: concave part
[0049] 45: Inward section
[0050] 46: Connecting part
[0051] 8: First insulator
[0052] 9: Second insulator
[0053] L1: Length
[0054] L2: Length. Detailed Implementation
[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the socket electrical connector. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the receptacle connector 100. In some embodiments, the receptacle connector 100 conforms to the USB Type-C interface specification and includes a shielding shell 1, an insulating body 2, a plurality of terminals 3, and a grounding plate 4.
[0056] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 3This is a side cross-sectional view of the socket connector 100. The shielding shell 1 is a hollow shell, and the interior of the shielding shell 1 includes a receiving groove 10. The insulating body 2 is disposed in the receiving groove 10, and the insulating body 2 has a base 21 and a tongue 22 extending outward from one side of the base 21. Each terminal 3 includes multiple contact segments 33, and each contact segment 33 is respectively disposed on two sides 22a of the tongue 22. The multiple terminals 3 include two first terminal groups 31 and two second terminal groups 32, and the two first terminal groups 31 and two second terminal groups 32 are arranged in a double row on the two sides 22a (e.g., Figure 3 As shown), the length L1 of each contact segment 33 of the second terminal group 32 is longer than the length L2 of each contact segment 33 of the first terminal group 31 (e.g., Figure 6 (As shown). The grounding plate 4 is located on the tongue plate 22 and is between the two first terminal groups 31 and the two second terminal groups 32 of the double row type. The grounding plate 4 has at least one extension 41, which is located between the contact segments 33 of each of the at least two adjacent terminals 3 of the two second terminal groups 32.
[0057] An extension portion 41 extends from the grounding plate 4 (which may be as follows). Figure 7 One of the extensions 41 shown, or as Figure 6 The multiple extensions 41 shown are located within the tongue 22, increasing the structural strength of the tongue 22. When the plug connector is not inserted into the socket connector 100 in the correct orientation, for example, when the plug connector is tilted and mated to the socket connector 100, the extensions 41 support the tongue 22, preventing damage or breakage to the tongue 22 after the tilted plug connector hits it.
[0058] In some embodiments, with the front side 22b of the tongue 22 as a reference plane, the front ends of each contact segment 33 of the second terminal group 32 are close to the front side 22b, and the front ends of each contact segment 33 of the first terminal group 31 are far from the front side 22b (e.g., Figure 5 (As shown). The length of each contact segment 33 of the second terminal group 32 is longer than the length of each contact segment 33 of the first terminal group 31, and the length of each contact segment 33 of the first terminal group 31 is shorter than the length of each contact segment 33 of the second terminal group 32. The front end of each contact segment 33 of each terminal 3 is covered by a tongue 22 (as shown). Figure 3 As shown), one side surface of each contact segment 33 is exposed on both sides 22a of the tongue 22.
[0059] See Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments, multiple terminals 3 in the upper row are inserted into the first insulator 8, multiple terminals 3 in the lower row are inserted into the second insulator 9, the grounding piece 4 is assembled on the second insulator 9, the first insulator 8 and the second insulator 9 are then combined, and then the insulating body 2 is combined with the first insulator 8 and the second insulator 9.
[0060] See Figure 2 and Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal module. In some embodiments, each first terminal group 31 includes a plurality of high-speed signal terminals 311 and a plurality of low-speed signal terminals 312. The plurality of high-speed signal terminals 311 form two groups and are respectively located on both sides of the plurality of low-speed signal terminals 312. Each second terminal group 32 includes a plurality of power terminals 321 and a plurality of ground terminals 322. Each ground terminal 322 is respectively located on both sides of the plurality of power terminals 321, and the plurality of low-speed signal terminals 312 are located between the plurality of power terminals 321. The plurality of high-speed signal terminals 311 in the two groups of the same row are respectively located between adjacent power terminals 321 and adjacent ground terminals 322.
[0061] See Figures 2 to 4 In some embodiments, the first terminal group 31 located on one side 22a of the tongue 22 has four high-speed signal terminals 311 and two low-speed signal terminals 312, and the first terminal group 31 located on the other side 22a of the tongue 22 has four high-speed signal terminals 311 and two low-speed signal terminals 312. The second terminal group 32 located on one side 22a of the tongue 22 has two power terminals 321 and two ground terminals 322, and the second terminal group 32 located on the other side 22a of the tongue 22 has two power terminals 321 and two ground terminals 322.
[0062] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 This is a top view of the terminal module. Figure 6 This is a partial top view of multiple terminals 3 and a grounding plate 4. The grounding plate 4 has extensions 41 on its left and right sides. In some embodiments, the grounding plate 4 includes multiple extensions 41. Each extension 41 extends toward the front side 22b of the tongue 22 but does not protrude beyond it. Each extension 41 is located between adjacent power terminals 321 and grounding terminals 322, and each extension 41 corresponds to a low-speed signal terminal 312. Figure 6 The multiple extensions 41 shown are located on the left and right sides below the grounding plate 4, with the extensions 41 on both sides supporting the tongue plate 22 (e.g.) Figure 5 As shown), if the plug connector is inserted obliquely into the socket connector 100, for example by... Figure 5 Insert from bottom left to top right or from Figure 5 Insert from the lower right to the upper left. The extensions 41 increase the strength of both sides of the tongue 22, preventing the obliquely inserted plug or connector from hitting the side of the tongue 22 and causing damage to the tongue 22.
[0063] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, multiple extensions 41 extend from, for example... Figure 5 Viewed from a reference angle perpendicular to the tongue 22, the multiple extensions 41 are located between the contact segments 33 of the four adjacent terminals 3 in the same row of the second terminal group 32. If a single extension 41 is used, the extensions can be omitted. Figure 5 One of the extensions 41, retaining at least one extension 41 when in use, at least one extension 41 from such Figure 5 Viewed from a reference angle perpendicular to the tongue 22, at least one extension 41 is between each contact segment 33 of at least two adjacent terminals 3 located in the same row of second terminal groups 32.
[0064] See Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a partial top view of multiple terminals 3 and a grounding plate 4, with an extension 41 in the center of the grounding plate 4. In some embodiments, at least one extension 41 is located between multiple power terminals 321 and corresponds to each low-speed signal terminal 312, such as... Figure 7 An extension 41 is shown located at the center below the grounding plate 4. At least one extension 41 faces, for example... Figure 5 The front side 22b of the tongue 22 shown extends and is located inside the tongue 22, and at least one extension 41 is not exposed outside the front side 22b of the tongue 22.
[0065] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 8 This is a partial top view of multiple terminals 3 and a grounding plate 4. The grounding plate 4 has extensions 41 in the center and on the right side. Figure 9 This is a partial top view of multiple terminals 3 and a grounding plate 4, with extensions 41 in the center and on the left side of the grounding plate 4. In some embodiments, the grounding plate 4 includes multiple extensions 41, each extension 41 being located between multiple power terminals 321 and between adjacent power terminals 321 and grounding terminals 322, and each extension 41 corresponding to a low-speed signal terminal 312 and a high-speed signal terminal 311, respectively. Figure 8 The multiple extensions 41 shown are located in the middle and right positions below the grounding piece 4, or as... Figure 9 The plurality of extensions 41 shown are located in the middle and left positions below the grounding plate 4, but are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the plurality of extensions 41 may be located as follows: Figure 9The diagram shows the addition of three extensions 41, with the three extensions 41 positioned in the middle, left, and right positions below the grounding plate 4, respectively. The multiple extensions 41 support the tongue 22 on both sides or in the middle. If the plug connector is not inserted correctly into the socket connector 100, the extensions 41 increase the strength of the tongue 22, preventing the incorrectly inserted plug connector from hitting the tongue 22 and causing it to be easily damaged.
[0066] See Figure 3 To and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the tongue 22 has a front side 22b and two side sides 22c. The front side 22b is connected to the front edge of the two side sides 22a, and the two side sides 22c are connected to the two side sides of the two side sides 22a. The grounding piece 4 has a latching part 42 on each side, and each latching part 42 protrudes from the two side sides 22c. In some embodiments, the area of the grounding piece 4 is extended and widened to cover the entire tongue 22, and the front end of the grounding piece 4 is adjacent to the front side 22B of the tongue 22 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 As shown), the grounding plate 4 increases the strength of the tongue 22. The latching parts 42 on both sides of the grounding plate 4 protrude from both sides of the tongue 22, providing latching hooks for the plug connector, and preventing the latching springs on both sides of the plug connector from rubbing against both sides of the tongue 22 and causing wear on the tongue 22.
[0067] See Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the grounding piece 4 has recesses 43 on both sides, each recess 43 being located between adjacent extensions 41 and latching portions 42, and each recess 43 corresponding to a grounding terminal 322. The recesses 43 are recessed inward toward the base 21, and one end of each grounding terminal 322 located on the two surfaces 22a of the tongue piece 22 faces each other via notches in the recesses 43, such as... Figure 3 The faces of one end of each grounding terminal 322 in the upper row and one end of each grounding terminal 322 in the lower row are opposite each other.
[0068] See Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the grounding piece 4 includes a recessed portion 45, which is located between the extensions 41 and corresponds to the plurality of power terminals 321. The recessed portion 45 is concave towards the base 21, and one end of each power terminal 321 located on the two sides 22a of the tongue piece 22 is opposite to the other end via a notch in the recessed portion 45, for example... Figure 3When the grounding terminals 322 in the upper and lower rows are replaced with power terminals 321, one end of the power terminals 321 in the upper row and one end of the power terminals 321 in the lower row face each other. When the grounding piece 4 and the insulating body 2 are embedded and formed in the mold, plastic material is processed and filled in the mold. The plastic material can easily pass through the hollow part of the inner recess 45 to fill and form the integral tongue piece 22 structure, which increases the efficiency of filling the plastic material and reduces the occurrence of incomplete molding where the tongue piece 22 does not cover the front end of each contact section 33.
[0069] In some embodiments, if the tongue 22 fails to cover the front end of each contact segment 33, the plastic material cannot smoothly pass through the cutout of the recessed portion 45 (possibly because the area of the recessed portion 45 is too small) to fill and mold the tongue 22 structure. This reduces the efficiency of filling the plastic material, and the front end of each terminal 3's contact segment 33 is exposed and not covered by the tongue 22. When the terminals of the plug connector mate with each contact segment 33 of the socket connector 100, each contact segment 33 may easily tilt upwards above the tongue 22, preventing proper mating, or the contact segments 33 may come into contact with each other due to tilting, causing a short circuit.
[0070] See figure Figure 5 In some embodiments, the grounding piece 4 has connecting portions 46 on both sides, and each connecting portion 46 is located in the base 21. The grounding piece 4 is connected to the material strip through the connecting portions 46, and each connecting portion 46 is not located in the area of the tongue piece 22.
[0071] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the shielding shell 1 is composed of a multi-piece structure, including an inner shell and a cover plate. The inner shell is an annular wall structure and is fitted onto the outside of the insulating body 2. The cover plate is fitted onto the outside of the inner shell, but this is not a limitation. In some embodiments, the shielding shell 1 may be a one-piece structure.
[0072] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the plurality of terminals 3 include connecting segments 34 and soldering segments 35. The connecting segments 34 are respectively disposed on the first insulator 8 and the second insulator 9. Each contact segment 33 extends from one side of each connecting segment 34 and is located on two sides 22a of the tongue 22. Each soldering segment 35 extends from the other side of each connecting segment 34 and passes through the rear side of the first insulator 8 and the second insulator 9. Each soldering segment 35 is used for horizontal pins (Surface Mount Technology, SMT) and vertical pins (Dual In-line Package, DIP).
[0073] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, Figure 2 The multiple terminals 3 shown in the top row, arranged from left to right, are as follows: ground terminal 322 (Gnd), first pair of high-speed signal terminals 311 (TX1+-, differential signal terminals, used to transmit high-speed signals), power terminal 321 (Power / VBUS), function detection terminal (CC1, used to detect reversible insertion and identify the cable), a pair of low-speed signal terminals 312 (D+-, differential signal terminals, used to transmit low-speed signals), expansion terminal (SBU1, which can be added for other uses), power terminal 321 (Power / VBUS), second pair of high-speed signal terminals (RX2+-, differential signal terminals, used to transmit high-speed signals), and ground terminal 322 (Gnd). This arrangement of the twelve terminals in the top row is designed to transmit USB 3.0 signals.
[0074] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, Figure 2 The bottom row of terminals, arranged from right to left, consists of: ground terminal 322 (Gnd), the first pair of high-speed signal terminals 311 (TX2+-, differential signal terminals for transmitting high-speed signals), power terminal 321 (Power / VBUS), function detection terminal (CC2, used to detect reversible insertion and identify the cable), a pair of low-speed signal terminals 312 (D+-, differential signal terminals for transmitting low-speed signals), expansion terminal (SBU2, which can be defined for other uses), power terminal 321 (Power / VBUS), the second pair of high-speed signal terminals 311 (RX1+-, differential signal terminals for transmitting high-speed signals), and ground terminal 322 (Gnd). This arrangement of twelve terminals in the bottom row is designed for transmitting USB 3.0 signals.
[0075] In some embodiments, the grounding plate 4 has multiple pins, each pin extending downwards from both sides of the rear of the grounding plate 4 as a DIP-type pin. In some embodiments, the grounding plate 4 provides isolation between multiple terminals 3 when the plug connector and the socket connector 100 are transmitting signals, thereby improving the problem of crosstalk signal interference. The pins of the grounding plate 4 are connected to the circuit board for conduction and grounding. The grounding plate 4 is located on the tongue 22, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the tongue 22 itself.
[0076] In summary, according to some embodiments, the grounding piece extends into the tongue, increasing the structural strength of the tongue. When the plug connector is tilted and mated with the socket connector, the extension supports the tongue, preventing the tilted plug connector from hitting and damaging the tongue. In some embodiments, the grounding piece has a recessed portion, facilitating the filling of the tongue structure with plastic material through the hollowed-out portion, increasing filling efficiency and reducing the occurrence of incomplete molding where the tongue does not cover the front ends of each contact segment.
Claims
1. A socket electrical connector, characterized in that: A shielding enclosure, including a receiving groove; An insulating body is disposed in the receiving groove. The insulating body has a base and a tongue extending outward from one side of the base. The tongue has a front side and two side sides. The front side is connected to the front side edge of the two sides of the tongue. Multiple terminals, each terminal including multiple contact segments, each contact segment being disposed on two sides of the tongue, each terminal including two first terminal groups and two second terminal groups, each first terminal group and each second terminal group being arranged in a double row on the two sides, the length of each contact segment of each second terminal group being longer than the length of each contact segment of each first terminal group, the front end of each contact segment of each second terminal group being close to the front side of the tongue, and the front end of each contact segment of each first terminal group being far away from the front side of the tongue, wherein each first terminal group includes multiple high-speed signal terminals and multiple low-speed signal terminals, each high-speed signal terminal forming two groups and respectively located on both sides of each low-speed signal terminal, each second terminal group including multiple power terminals and multiple ground terminals, each ground terminal being respectively located on both sides of each power terminal, each low-speed signal terminal being located between each power terminal, and each high-speed signal terminal in the two groups of the same row being respectively located between adjacent power terminals and ground terminals; and A grounding plate is located on the tongue and between each of the first terminal groups and each of the second terminal groups. The grounding plate has an extension that extends toward the front side and is located inside the tongue. The extension is located between each of the power terminals and corresponds to each of the low-speed signal terminals. The grounding plate has a recess on each of its two sides, each recess corresponding to each of the power terminals. The recess is recessed toward the base. One end of each of the power terminals on both sides of the tongue is opposite to the other through a notch in the recess. The grounding plate includes a recessed portion that is recessed toward the base. The recessed portion is located between each of the power terminals and each of the ground terminals and corresponds to each of the ground terminals. One end of each of the ground terminals on both sides of the tongue is opposite to the other through a notch in the recessed portion. The recess and the recessed portion are connected. When the grounding plate and the insulating body are embedded in the mold to form a plastic filling material, the plastic material can easily pass through the hollow of the recessed portion to fill and form the entire tongue structure.
2. The socket electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The two side surfaces are connected to the two sides of the two surfaces, and the grounding plate has a buckle part on each side, with each buckle part protruding from the two side surfaces.
3. The socket connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the recesses is located between each of the adjacent extensions and each of the latches.
4. The socket electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The grounding plate has a connecting portion on each side, and each connecting portion is located on the base.