A terminal module and a connector

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of fixing of contact pieces of connectors, in particular to a terminal module and a connector, the connector comprising the terminal module, the terminal module comprising an insulator, the insulator being provided with a differential pair, the differential pair comprising two terminals arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator, the insulator comprising an inner support body and an outer cladding body, the two terminals of the differential pair being respectively assembled on the two sides of the thickness direction of the inner support body and forming a pre-fixing unit, and the pre-fixing unit and the outer cladding body being integrally fixed by integral molding; the mold forming is facilitated, the inner support body can be symmetrically designed, the insulator is not prone to warping, the assembling operation is facilitated, and the consistency of products is facilitated to be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fixing contacts in connectors, and more specifically to a terminal module and a connector. Background Technology

[0002] High-speed connectors include several terminal modules mounted in parallel. Each terminal module includes an insulator, on which differential pairs are mounted. Each differential pair is formed by a pair of trace terminals. For orthogonal connectors using wide-edge coupling, the two terminals of the differential pair are respectively located on two insulating bodies. For example, a high-speed orthogonal connector disclosed in Chinese invention patent application CN113690695A, published on November 23, 2021, includes a female connector comprising multiple female connector wafers (terminal modules) distributed in parallel. The female connector signal terminals on the same female connector wafer have a contact end, a crimp end, and a terminal body connecting the contact end and the crimp end. Both the terminal body and the contact end are wide-edge coupled. Wide-edge coupling means that the arrangement direction of each differential pair in a wafer is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two signal terminals that make up the differential pair. That is, in wide-edge coupling, the signal terminals in a wafer are arranged in two rows along the arrangement direction of the differential pairs, and the two rows of female connector signal terminals are respectively mounted on two female connector insulators.

[0003] The terminals and insulators of the aforementioned connector are fixed together by integral molding. The two rows of bent female signal terminals are integrally molded with two bent female insulators respectively. After the bent female insulators are formed, the two bent female insulators are then bonded and fixed together, which is a two-half mating structure. However, due to the different structures on both sides of the thickness direction of the bent female insulators, warping is likely to occur after injection molding. This is especially true when the number of terminals is greater and the size is larger, which makes warping more likely. As a result, the opposite sides of the two bent female insulators cannot be flat and fitted, which can affect the alignment of the holes and the relative position of the terminals, and is not conducive to the consistency of the performance after product assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a terminal module to solve the problem that the insulator of current terminal modules is prone to warping, which affects product consistency; the purpose of this invention is also to provide a connector to solve the problem that the insulator of the terminal module of current connectors is prone to warping, which affects product consistency.

[0005] The technical solution of the terminal module of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A terminal module includes an insulator with a differential pair on it. The differential pair includes two terminals arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator. The insulator includes an inner support and an outer cover. The two terminals of the differential pair are respectively assembled on both sides of the inner support in the thickness direction to form a pre-fixing unit. The pre-fixing unit and the outer cover are fixed together by integral molding.

[0007] Beneficial effects: This invention improves upon existing terminal modules by fixing the terminals and insulators in two steps. First, the terminals are assembled onto a separately molded inner support, forming a pre-fixed unit. The inner support provides positioning and support for the relative positions of each terminal. Then, the pre-fixed unit is integrally molded with the outer cover using a mold, providing a stable fixation for the terminals. This structural design facilitates mold forming and allows for a symmetrical design of the inner support. Compared to the existing two-part mating structure of terminal modules, the insulator is less prone to warping, facilitating assembly and ensuring product consistency.

[0008] Furthermore, one of the terminals and the inner support body is provided with a mounting groove, and the other is provided with a mounting part, which is engaged into the mounting groove.

[0009] Beneficial effects: The terminal is snapped onto the inner support body by the cooperation of the snap-fit ​​slot and the snap-fit ​​part. The structure is simple and easy to operate.

[0010] Furthermore, the mounting portion is formed by a narrowed portion provided on the terminal, and the mounting groove is provided on the inner support body.

[0011] Beneficial effects: By setting a narrow section on the terminal and using the narrow section to snap onto the inner support, on the one hand, the contact between the narrow section and the inner support facilitates impedance adjustment; on the other hand, after the narrow section is snapped into the snap-on groove, the part of the terminal adjacent to the narrow section will form a natural limit with the groove wall of the snap-on groove, which is conducive to the stable assembly of the terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner support body is provided with a receiving groove, which is used to receive the portion of the terminal located between two adjacent narrow portions. The portion of the inner support body located between two adjacent receiving grooves constitutes a support portion, and a mounting groove is provided on the support portion.

[0013] Beneficial effects: The design of the mounting slot and the receiving slot allows the terminal to be inserted deep into the inner support body, which helps to reduce the size of the inner support body.

[0014] Furthermore, the receiving groove is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The through-hole facilitates the forming of the inner support and also helps to increase the hollow area of ​​the insulator, which is beneficial for high-speed signal transmission.

[0016] Furthermore, the outer cover is provided with an air groove corresponding to the receiving groove, and a fixing part that covers the mounting groove and contacts the terminal is provided between two adjacent air grooves.

[0017] Beneficial effect: By covering the fixing part of the mounting slot and contacting the terminal, it is easy to reliably fix the terminal after the outer covering is formed.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer casing is equipped with a shielding sheet fixing structure.

[0019] Beneficial effects: Placing the shielding sheet fixing structure on the outer covering facilitates the forming of the inner support and simplifies the structure of the insulator.

[0020] The technical solution of the connector of the present invention is as follows:

[0021] A connector includes a terminal module, the terminal module including an insulator, a differential pair provided on the insulator, the differential pair including two terminals arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator, the insulator including an inner support and an outer cover, the two terminals of the differential pair being respectively assembled on both sides of the inner support in the thickness direction to form a pre-fixing unit, the pre-fixing unit and the outer cover being fixed together by integral molding.

[0022] Beneficial effects: This invention improves upon existing terminal modules by fixing the terminals and insulators in two steps. First, the terminals are assembled onto a separately molded inner support, forming a pre-fixed unit. The inner support provides positioning and support for the relative positions of each terminal. Then, the pre-fixed unit is integrally molded with the outer cover using a mold, providing a stable fixation for the terminals. This structural design facilitates mold forming and allows for a symmetrical design of the inner support. Compared to the existing two-part mating structure of terminal modules, the insulator is less prone to warping, facilitating assembly and ensuring product consistency.

[0023] Furthermore, one of the terminals and the inner support body is provided with a mounting groove, and the other is provided with a mounting part, which is engaged into the mounting groove.

[0024] Beneficial effects: The terminal is snapped onto the inner support body by the cooperation of the snap-fit ​​slot and the snap-fit ​​part. The structure is simple and easy to operate.

[0025] Furthermore, the mounting portion is formed by a narrowed portion provided on the terminal, and the mounting groove is provided on the inner support body.

[0026] Beneficial effects: By setting a narrow section on the terminal and using the narrow section to snap onto the inner support, on the one hand, the contact between the narrow section and the inner support facilitates impedance adjustment; on the other hand, after the narrow section is snapped into the snap-on groove, the part of the terminal adjacent to the narrow section will form a natural limit with the groove wall of the snap-on groove, which is conducive to the stable assembly of the terminal.

[0027] Furthermore, the inner support body is provided with a receiving groove, which is used to receive the portion of the terminal located between two adjacent narrow portions. The portion of the inner support body located between two adjacent receiving grooves constitutes a support portion, and a mounting groove is provided on the support portion.

[0028] Beneficial effects: The design of the mounting slot and the receiving slot allows the terminal to be inserted deep into the inner support body, which helps to reduce the size of the inner support body.

[0029] Furthermore, the receiving groove is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support.

[0030] Beneficial effects: The through-hole facilitates the forming of the inner support and also helps to increase the hollow area of ​​the insulator, which is beneficial for high-speed signal transmission.

[0031] Furthermore, the outer cover is provided with an air groove corresponding to the receiving groove, and a fixing part that covers the mounting groove and contacts the terminal is provided between two adjacent air grooves.

[0032] Beneficial effect: By covering the fixing part of the mounting slot and contacting the terminal, it is easy to reliably fix the terminal after the outer covering is formed.

[0033] Furthermore, the outer casing is equipped with a shielding sheet fixing structure.

[0034] Beneficial effects: Placing the shielding sheet fixing structure on the outer covering facilitates the forming of the inner support and simplifies the structure of the insulator. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the terminal module of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view;

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Assembly structure diagram of the first terminal and the inner support body;

[0038] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the fixing structure at the narrowed part of the first terminal.

[0039] In the figure: 1. Outer covering; 11. Air groove; 12. Hot riveting post; 2. Inner support; 21. Receiving groove; 22. Mounting groove; 3. First terminal; 31. Narrowing part; 4. Second terminal; 5. First shielding plate; 6. Second shielding plate. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Embodiment 1 of the terminal module of the present invention:

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the terminal module includes an insulator and differential pairs. The insulator includes an inner support 2 and an outer covering 1. Each differential pair includes two terminals, namely a first terminal 3 and a second terminal 4. There are four differential pairs. The first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 of each differential pair are arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator. The arrangement direction of each differential pair is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two terminals that make up the differential pair, so that the first terminals 3 of each differential pair are arranged in a row and the second terminals 4 of each differential pair are arranged in a row. A row of first terminals 3 and a row of second terminals 4 are respectively installed on both sides of the inner support 2 in the thickness direction. The outer covering 1 covers the inner support 2. A first shielding plate 5 and a second shielding plate 6 are respectively provided on both sides of the outer covering 1 in the thickness direction.

[0042] The first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 of the same differential pair have the same structure and are installed on the inner support 2 in the same way. Taking the first terminal 3 as an example, the first terminal 3 is a wiring terminal. The first terminal 3 has a number of narrowing portions 31 in its extension direction. The width of the narrowing portion 31 is smaller than the width of the rest. The narrowing portion 31 is used to contact and fix with the insulator.

[0043] The inner support body 2 is individually injection molded by a mold. The inner support body 2 has several receiving slots 21 corresponding to each differential pair. The receiving slots 21 corresponding to the same differential pair are spaced apart along the extension direction of the wiring terminal. The part of the inner support body 2 located between two adjacent receiving slots 21 constitutes the support part. The support part is provided with a snap-fit ​​slot 22, which is in communication with the receiving slots 21 on both sides. The narrow part 31 on the terminal constitutes the snap-fit ​​part. The narrow part 31 is snapped into the snap-fit ​​slot 22. The receiving slot 21 is used to accommodate the part of the terminal that is connected to the narrow part 31. The terminal is snapped into the inner support body 2 by the cooperation of the snap-fit ​​slot 22 and the snap-fit ​​part. The structure is simple and easy to operate. A narrowing portion 31 is provided on the terminal and is used to snap onto the inner support body 2. On the one hand, the contact between the narrowing portion 31 and the inner support body 2 facilitates impedance adjustment; on the other hand, after the narrowing portion 31 is snapped into the snap-fit ​​groove 22, the portion of the terminal adjacent to the narrowing portion 31 will form a natural limit with the groove wall of the snap-fit ​​groove 22, which is beneficial to the stable assembly of the terminal. The snap-fit ​​groove 22 and the receiving groove 21 allow the terminal to penetrate deep into the inner support body 2, which helps to reduce the size of the inner support body 2.

[0044] The receiving groove 21 is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support body 2. Both the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 can be inserted into the receiving groove 21. The inner support body 2 has a mounting groove 22 on both sides of the support part between the two receiving grooves 21 in the thickness direction, so that the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 can be mounted on both sides. The through receiving groove 21 facilitates the forming of the inner support body 2, and at the same time helps to increase the hollow area of ​​the insulator, which is conducive to high-speed signal transmission.

[0045] The outer cover 1 is injection molded together with the inner support 2 after the terminal is assembled. The outer cover 1 covers the inner support 2 and partially wraps the terminal. The outer cover 1 has an air groove 11 corresponding to the receiving groove 21. There is a fixing part between two adjacent air grooves 11 that covers the mounting groove 22 and contacts the terminal. The side of the terminal in the thickness direction is flush with the side of the inner support 2 in the thickness direction, so that the plastic can form a good contact with the terminal when the outer cover 1 is injection molded, which is conducive to reliable fixation.

[0046] After the outer casing 1 is formed on the inner support 2, it becomes an insulator. Since the terminals are pre-fixed and supported on the inner support 2, the distance between the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the outer casing 1. Hot riveting posts 12 are provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the outer casing 1. The hot riveting posts 12 constitute the shielding sheet fixing structure on the outer casing 1. The first shielding sheet 5 and the second shielding sheet 6 are respectively provided with hot riveting holes to hot rivet and fix the first shielding sheet 5 and the second shielding sheet 6 to both sides in the thickness direction of the insulator.

[0047] This method of fixing the terminals and insulators is implemented in two steps. First, the terminals are installed onto the separately molded inner support using an assembly method. The two terminals of the differential pair are respectively assembled on both sides of the thickness direction of the inner support to form a pre-fixing unit. The inner support can position and support the relative positions of each terminal. Then, the pre-fixing unit is fixed as a whole with the outer cover by molding. The outer cover can form a stable fixation for the terminals. This structural design facilitates molding and allows the inner support to achieve a symmetrical design. Compared with the existing two-half mating structure of the terminal module, the insulator is less prone to warping, which facilitates assembly operations and helps ensure product consistency.

[0048] Embodiment 2 of the terminal module in this invention:

[0049] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that in Embodiment 1, the inner support body has a mounting groove and the terminal has a mounting part. In this embodiment, the terminal has a socket, the inner support body has a post, the socket forms the mounting groove, and the post forms the mounting part.

[0050] Embodiment 3 of the terminal module in this invention:

[0051] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that in Embodiment 1, the terminal has a narrowed portion that forms a locking portion. In this embodiment, the terminal does not have a narrowed portion, and the inner support body has a protrusion with a locking groove, into which the terminal is locked.

[0052] Embodiment 4 of the terminal module in this invention:

[0053] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the receiving groove in Embodiment 1 is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support. In this embodiment, the receiving groove has a bottom surface facing one side of the inner support in the thickness direction, and receiving grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the inner support in the thickness direction for the first terminal and the second terminal of the differential pair to extend into.

[0054] Embodiments of the connector in this invention:

[0055] The connector includes a housing and several terminal modules mounted on the housing. The terminal modules in this embodiment are the same as those in any of the embodiments 1-4 of the above-described terminal modules, and will not be described again here.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A terminal module, characterized by, It includes a separately molded inner support body and various differential pairs assembled on the inner support body. The two terminals of the differential pairs are respectively installed on both sides of the thickness direction of the inner support body. The inner support body is provided with a mounting groove. The terminals are provided with a mounting part for locking into the mounting groove so that the terminals are directly locked onto the inner support body and in contact with the inner support body. Each terminal and the inner support body form a pre-fixed unit. An outer covering body is provided outside the pre-fixed unit. The pre-fixed unit and the outer covering body are fixed together by integral molding. The outer covering body covers the inner support body and partially covers the terminals. After the outer covering body is formed on the inner support body, the outer covering body and the inner support body together form an insulator. The two terminals of the differential pair are arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator.

2. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein The side of the terminal in the thickness direction is flush with the side of the inner support in the thickness direction.

3. The terminal module of claim 1, wherein, The mounting section is formed by a narrowed portion provided on the terminal.

4. The terminal module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner support body is provided with a receiving groove, which is used to receive the part of the terminal located between two adjacent narrowing parts. The part of the inner support body located between two adjacent receiving grooves constitutes a support part, and a mounting groove is provided on the support part.

5. The terminal module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving groove is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support.

6. The terminal module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer casing has an air groove corresponding to the receiving groove, and a fixing part that covers the mounting groove and contacts the terminal is located between two adjacent air grooves.

7. The terminal module according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outer casing is equipped with a shielding sheet fixing structure.

8. A connector comprising a terminal module, characterized in that, The terminal module includes a separately molded inner support body and various differential pairs assembled on the inner support body. The two terminals of the differential pairs are respectively installed on both sides of the thickness direction of the inner support body. The inner support body is provided with a mounting groove, and the terminal is provided with a mounting part for snapping into the mounting groove so that the terminal is directly snapped onto the inner support body and contacts the inner support body. Each terminal and the inner support body form a pre-fixed unit. An outer covering body is provided outside the pre-fixed unit. The pre-fixed unit and the outer covering body are fixed together by integral molding. The outer covering body covers the inner support body and partially covers the terminal. After the outer covering body is formed on the inner support body, the outer covering body and the inner support body together form an insulator. The two terminals of the differential pair are arranged side by side along the thickness direction of the insulator.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side of the terminal in the thickness direction is flush with the side of the inner support in the thickness direction.

10. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The mounting section is formed by a narrowed portion provided on the terminal.

11. The connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, The inner support body is provided with a receiving groove, which is used to receive the part of the terminal located between two adjacent narrowing parts. The part of the inner support body located between two adjacent receiving grooves constitutes a support part, and a mounting groove is provided on the support part.

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that, The receiving groove is provided through the thickness direction of the inner support.

13. The connector according to claim 12, characterized in that, The outer casing has an air groove corresponding to the receiving groove, and a fixing part that covers the mounting groove and contacts the terminal is located between two adjacent air grooves.

14. The connector according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, The outer casing is equipped with a shielding sheet fixing structure.

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