Receptacle connector

Abstract

A socket connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals and a metal shell. The insulating body extends along a left-right direction and is formed with two insertion slots and a recessed section between the two insertion slots. The plurality of terminals are arranged on the insulating body, each of the terminals has a contact portion extending into a corresponding insertion slot. The metal shell is sleeved on the insulating body and surrounds the periphery of the insulating body, and the metal shell and the insulating body form two front grooves respectively located at the front sides of the insertion slots and two rear grooves respectively located at the rear sides of the insertion slots, and the length of each rear groove taken along the left-right direction is less than the length of the corresponding insertion slot taken along the left-right direction. Thus, the socket connector can be connected with at least two different types of mating connectors to meet the use requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a socket connector, and more particularly to a socket connector that can be mated to different types of mating parts. Background Technology

[0002] Existing socket connectors typically only provide mating for a single type of connector, thus limiting their application and failing to meet the demand for connectors that can accommodate different types of connectors. For example, the card edge connector disclosed in patent publication number TW202107783A can only connect to electronic cards, while the connector female disclosed in patent publication number CN208797273U can only be matched with cable connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a socket connector that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0004] Therefore, the socket connector of the present invention includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals and a metal housing.

[0005] The insulating body extends in a left-right direction and forms at least two slots and at least one recessed section between the at least two slots, the at least two slots and the recessed section being arranged in the left-right direction. At least two terminals are disposed on the insulating body, each terminal having a contact portion extending into the corresponding slot. A metal housing is fitted onto the insulating body and surrounds the insulating body, forming at least two front grooves located in front of the at least two slots and at least two rear grooves located behind the at least two slots, each rear groove having a length in the left-right direction less than the length of the corresponding slot in the left-right direction.

[0006] In some embodiments, the recessed section has a bottom wall and two side walls connected to the bottom wall and spaced apart along the left-right direction.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rear side of the insulating body extends rearward from the portion corresponding to each end of the slot, with two protrusions extending rearward, and each rear slot is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

[0008] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slot, and four protrusions. Each pair of protrusions extends rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponds to the two ends of the corresponding slot. The two outermost protrusions correspond to the two outer ends, and the other two protrusions in the middle correspond to the two side sides. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

[0009] In some embodiments, the insulating body further includes a connecting block that connects between two corresponding protrusions adjacent to the recessed section and to the ends of the two protrusions.

[0010] In some embodiments, the rear portion of the metal housing corresponding to both ends of each slot is close to the insulating body, and the rear portion of the metal housing corresponding to the middle of each slot protrudes rearward away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

[0011] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, and the rear side of the metal housing has a base corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, two side portions corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and two protrusions. Each side portion and the base portion respectively correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot, and each protrusion is connected between the base portion and the corresponding side portion and corresponds to the middle portion of the corresponding slot. Each protrusion is away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

[0012] In some embodiments, a protrusion extends rearward from the rear side of the insulating body corresponding to the portion of each slot away from the recessed section, and the rear side of the metal housing is close to the insulating body at the portion of each slot adjacent to the recessed section, and each rear groove is formed between the metal housing and the corresponding protrusion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slots, and two protrusions extending rearward from the rear sides and corresponding to the two outer ends, each protrusion corresponding to the end of the corresponding slot away from the recessed section. The rear side of the metal housing has a base corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, and two protrusions connected to the opposite side of the base and away from the insulating body, each base corresponding to the end of each slot adjacent to the recessed section. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the corresponding protrusion.

[0014] In some embodiments, a protrusion extends rearward from the rear side of the insulating body corresponding to the portion of each slot near one end of the recessed section, and the rear side of the metal housing is close to the insulating body at the portion of each slot away from the end of the recessed section, and each rear groove is formed between the metal housing and the corresponding protrusion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slot, and two protrusions extending rearward from the rear sides and corresponding to the two sides respectively. The rear side of the metal housing has two sides corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and a protrusion connecting the two sides and away from the insulating body. Each side and the corresponding protrusion correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot, and each rear groove is formed between the protrusion and the corresponding protrusion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the insulating body also has a connecting block that connects between the two protrusions and is adjacent to the ends of the two protrusions.

[0017] In some embodiments, the insulating body is formed with at least three slots and at least two recessed sections, each of the recessed sections being located between two corresponding slots, and at least three front grooves and at least three rear grooves are formed between the metal housing and the insulating body.

[0018] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides located behind the slot, and six protrusions. Each pair of protrusions extends rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponds to the two ends of the corresponding slot. The two outermost protrusions correspond to the two outer ends, and the two adjacent protrusions in the middle correspond to the two sides of the corresponding recessed segment. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

[0019] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, the rear side of the metal casing has two bases corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, two side portions corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and three protrusions. The two bases correspond to the two ends of the middle slot, each side portion and its corresponding base portion correspond to the two ends of the outer slot, the outermost protrusion is connected between the corresponding base portion and the corresponding side portion, the middle protrusion is connected between the two bases, each protrusion corresponds to the middle portion of the corresponding slot, and each protrusion is away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

[0020] In some embodiments, a protrusion extends rearward from the portion of the outermost slot away from the corresponding recessed segment on the rear side of the insulating body, and the portion of the metal housing adjacent to the corresponding recessed segment of each slot is close to the insulating body. The outermost rear groove is formed between the metal housing and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed on the metal housing.

[0021] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides respectively located behind the slot, and two protrusions, each protrusion extending rearward from the outermost rear side and corresponding to the corresponding outer end, each protrusion corresponding to the outermost end of the slot away from the corresponding recessed section. The rear side of the metal housing has two bases respectively corresponding to the recessed sections, and three protrusions, each base connecting between the two corresponding protrusions and close to the insulating body and corresponding to each slot adjacent to the corresponding recessed section end, each protrusion away from the insulating body. The outermost rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed on the corresponding protrusion.

[0022] In some embodiments, a protrusion extends rearward from the rear side of the insulating body corresponding to the portion of each slot adjacent to one end of the corresponding recessed segment, and the portion of the metal housing corresponding to the outermost slot away from one end of the corresponding recessed segment is close to the insulating body. The outermost rear groove is formed between the metal housing and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed between the two corresponding protrusions.

[0023] In some embodiments, the insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides respectively located behind the slot, and four protrusions, each protrusion extending rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponding to the side of the corresponding recessed segment. The rear side of the metal housing has two sides respectively corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and a protrusion connecting the two sides and away from the insulating body. Each side and the corresponding protrusion correspond to the outermost two ends of the slot, the two middle protrusions respectively correspond to the middle two ends of the slot, the outermost rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

[0024] In some embodiments, a retaining groove is formed on the rear side of the insulating body, and a retaining piece is snapped into the retaining groove on the rear side of the metal housing.

[0025] In some embodiments, the insulating body has a plurality of through holes, and the metal housing has a plurality of downwardly extending pins, each pin passing through a corresponding through hole and partially protruding below the corresponding through hole.

[0026] In some embodiments, the bottom wall forms two through holes adjacent to the side, and the front side of the metal housing has two folding plates extending rearward to the inner side of the side. Each folding plate has a plate body abutting against the bottom wall and a pin extending downward from the bottom end of the plate body. The pin of each folding plate passes through the corresponding through hole and partially protrudes below the corresponding through hole.

[0027] In some embodiments, the recessed section defines a groove, and the groove, each of the slots, each of the front slots, and each of the rear slots each have an upward-facing opening.

[0028] In some embodiments, the metal housing has a plurality of downwardly extending pins.

[0029] In some embodiments, multiple pairs of terminal modules having multiple said terminals are included, each pair of terminal modules being combined and mounted on the insulating body.

[0030] Therefore, the socket connector of the present invention includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals, and a metal housing.

[0031] The insulating body extends in a left-right direction and forms at least two slots and at least one recessed section located between the at least two slots, the slots and the recessed section being arranged in the left-right direction. A plurality of terminals are disposed on the insulating body, each terminal having a contact portion extending into a corresponding slot. A metal housing is fitted onto the insulating body and surrounds the insulating body, forming at least two grooves corresponding to the slots, each groove and corresponding slot being arranged in a front-back direction perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0032] In some implementations, each slot is a front slot located on the front side of the corresponding slot.

[0033] The present invention has at least the following advantages: Through the design of at least two slots, at least one recessed section, at least two front slots, and at least two rear slots, the socket connector can mate not only with the plug connector but also with the electronic card. Therefore, the socket connector can provide mating with at least two different types of mating parts, making it applicable to a wide range of scenarios and meeting the needs for mating with different types of mating parts. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0035] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention and a circuit board;

[0036] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment and the circuit board from another viewpoint;

[0037] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment, illustrating the assembly relationship between an insulating body, multiple terminal modules, and a metal housing;

[0038] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment from another viewpoint;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a top view of the first embodiment assembled with the circuit board;

[0040] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view taken by line VI-VI in the diagram;

[0041] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment and an electronic card;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the first embodiment assembled with the electronic card;

[0043] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment;

[0045] Figure 11 This is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment from another viewpoint;

[0046] Figure 12 This is a top view of the second embodiment;

[0047] Figure 13 It is along Figure 12 A cross-sectional view taken by line XIII-XIII in the diagram;

[0048] Figure 14 This is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 15 This is a top view of the third embodiment;

[0050] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 17 This is a top view of the fourth embodiment;

[0052] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention; and

[0055] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the socket connector of the present invention.

[0056] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0057] 100: Socket Connector

[0058] 1: Insulating body

[0059] 10: Medial segment

[0060] 11: Lateral segment

[0061] 111: Slot

[0062] 112: Opening

[0063] 113: Front and side views

[0064] 114: Rear side

[0065] 115: Outer end

[0066] 12: Depressed section

[0067] 121: Bottom wall

[0068] 122: Side view

[0069] 123: Groove

[0070] 124: Opening

[0071] 125: Through hole

[0072] 13: Bumps

[0073] 14: Connecting Block

[0074] 15: Fixed Block

[0075] 151: Retaining groove

[0076] 152: Through-hole

[0077] 2: Terminal module

[0078] 21: Terminal block

[0079] 22:Terminal

[0080] 221:Contact Department

[0081] 3: Metal casing

[0082] 31:Front panel

[0083] 311: Inserting a foot

[0084] 32: Back panel

[0085] 320: First Plate

[0086] 321: Second Plate

[0087] 322: Retention Tablet

[0088] 323: Insertion

[0089] 324: Base

[0090] 325: Side

[0091] 326: Protrusion

[0092] 327: Side panel

[0093] 328: Connecting piece

[0094] 329: Inserting a foot

[0095] 33: Side panel

[0096] 34: folding plate

[0097] 341:Plate body

[0098] 342: Insertion

[0099] 41: Front slot

[0100] 411: Opening

[0101] 42: Rear slot

[0102] 421: Opening

[0103] 5: Circuit board

[0104] 51: Perforation

[0105] 6: Electronic Card

[0106] 61: Connector

[0107] 62: Guiding Department

[0108] L1: Length

[0109] L2: Length

[0110] X: Forward / backward direction

[0111] Y: Left and right directions

[0112] Z: Up / Down direction Detailed Implementation

[0113] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0114] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 A first embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention includes an insulating body 1, a multi-terminal module 2, and a metal housing 3. The socket connector 100 is adapted to be assembled and electrically connected to a circuit board 5, the circuit board 5 having a plurality of through holes 51.

[0115] For ease of subsequent explanation, the socket connector 100 is defined as having a front-to-back direction X, a left-to-right direction Y perpendicular to the front-to-back direction X, and a top-to-bottom direction Z perpendicular to the front-to-back direction X and the left-to-right direction Y. Figure 1 In the diagram, the forward and backward direction X is the direction the arrow points to (forward) and the opposite direction (backward). Figure 1 In the diagram, the left-right direction Y is the direction the arrow points to (left) and the opposite direction is (right). Figure 1 In the diagram, the direction Z is up, as indicated by the arrow, and down in the opposite direction.

[0116] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The insulating body 1 is elongated shell-shaped and extends longitudinally along the left-right direction Y. The insulating body 1 has two outer segments 11 arranged in opposite directions along the left-right direction Y, and a recessed segment 12 located between the outer segments 11. The outer segments 11 and the recessed segment 12 are arranged along the left-right direction Y. Each outer segment 11 forms a slot 111. The slot 111 extends longitudinally along the left-right direction Y and has a length L1 along the left-right direction Y. The recessed segment 12 connects to the outer segments 11 and is located between the slots 111.

[0117] The number of terminal modules 2 is two pairs. Each terminal module 2 has a terminal base 21 and a plurality of terminals 22 disposed on the terminal base 21 and spaced apart along the left-right direction Y. The terminal bases 21 of each pair of terminal modules 2 are fixedly joined together by a snap-fit ​​method and mounted on the corresponding outer section 11 of the insulating body 1. Each terminal 22 is electrically connected to the circuit board 5 and has a contact portion 221 extending into the corresponding slot 111.

[0118] The metal casing 3 is fitted onto the insulating body 1 and surrounds the outer periphery of the insulating body 1. Two front grooves 41 are formed between the metal casing 3 and the insulating body 1, respectively located in front of the plurality of slots 111, and two rear grooves 42 are respectively located behind the plurality of slots 111. Each front groove 41, its corresponding slot 111, and its corresponding rear groove 42 are arranged along the front-rear direction X. The length of each front groove 41 extends along the left-right direction Y. Each rear groove 42 extends along the left-right direction Y and has a length L2 along the left-right direction Y, the length L2 of the rear groove 42 being less than the length L1 of the slot 111.

[0119] Through the design of multiple slots 111, the recessed section 12, multiple front slots 41, and multiple rear slots 42, the socket connector 100 can not only mate with two plug connectors (not shown), but also with an electronic card 6 (such as...). Figure 7 (As shown). Thus, the socket connector 100 can provide at least two different types of mating parts (such as the plug connector and the electronic card 6), making the socket connector 100 applicable to a wide range of situations and meeting the usage requirements for mating different types of mating parts.

[0120] The following will provide a detailed description of the specific structure of the socket connector 100:

[0121] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each slot 111 has an upward-facing opening 112. The recessed section 12 has a bottom wall 121 and two side surfaces 122 connected to the bottom wall 121. Multiple side surfaces 122 protrude from the top surface of the bottom wall 121 and are spaced apart and facing each other along the left-right direction Y. The multiple side surfaces 122 are located inside the multiple slots 111. The bottom wall 121 and the multiple side surfaces 122 together define a groove 123, which has an upward-facing opening 124. The bottom wall 121 of the recessed section 12 forms two through holes 125 adjacent to the multiple side surfaces 122, each through hole 125 extending along the vertical direction Z and penetrating the bottom wall 121.

[0122] In this first embodiment, two protrusions 13 extend rearward from the rear side of the insulating body 1, corresponding to the two ends of each slot 111. Each rear groove 42 is formed between the corresponding two protrusions 13. Specifically, each outer segment 11 of the insulating body 1 has a front side 113 located in front of the corresponding slot 111, a rear side 114 located behind the corresponding slot 111, and an outer end portion 115 located outside the corresponding slot 111 and opposite to the corresponding side 122. The insulating body 1 has four protrusions 13, with every two protrusions 13 extending rearward from the corresponding rear side 114 and corresponding to the two ends of the corresponding slot 111. The two outermost protrusions 13 correspond to a plurality of outer end portions 115, and the other two protrusions 13 in the middle correspond to a plurality of sides 122.

[0123] See Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The insulating body 1 also includes a connecting block 14 and a retaining block 15. The connecting block 14 is connected between two corresponding protrusions 13 adjacent to the recessed section 12, and is adjacent to and flush with the ends of the protrusions 13. By connecting the connecting block 14 and the corresponding protrusions 13 between the multiple outer sections 11, the overall structural strength of the insulating body 1 can be increased. The retaining block 15 protrudes from the rear wall surface of the bottom wall 121, the rear side surface of the connecting block 14, and the rear side surface of the corresponding protrusions 13. The retaining block 15 forms a retaining groove 151, which extends along the vertical direction Z and has an upward opening.

[0124] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6The metal casing 3 is elongated and extends longitudinally along the left-right direction Y. The metal casing 3 has two front plates 31, a rear plate 32, two side plates 33, and two folding plates 34. The multiple front plates 31 are spaced apart along the left-right direction Y and are located in front of multiple front side surfaces 113 of multiple outer segments 11. Each front plate 31 has a pin 311 located at its bottom end and extending downwards, which is used to insert into the corresponding through hole 51 of the circuit board 5, so that the pin 311 and the circuit board 5 can be fixedly bonded together by solder. The rear plate 32 is located spaced behind the multiple front plates 31 along the front-rear direction X. The rear plate 32 has a first plate body 320 and a second plate body 321. The first plate body 320 is located behind the multiple rear side surfaces 114, the multiple protrusions 13, and the connecting block 14. The first plate 320 has a retaining piece 322 located at the middle of its bottom end and extending downward, which engages within the retaining groove 151 of the insulating body 1. This improves the stability and flatness of the metal casing 3 when assembled onto the insulating body 1. The second plate 321 extends downward and backward from the bottom end of the first plate 320. The second plate 321 has a plurality of pins 323 located at its bottom end and extending downward. Each pin 323 is used to insert into a corresponding through hole 51 of the circuit board 5, so that the plurality of pins 323 can be fixedly bonded to the circuit board 5 by solder.

[0125] Multiple side plates 33 are respectively connected to the left and right sides of the first plate 320 of the rear plate 32 and to the outer sides of multiple front plates 31. Multiple folding plates 34 are respectively connected to the inner sides of multiple front plates 31 and extend rearward to the inner sides of multiple side plates 122 of the recessed section 12. Each folding plate 34 has a plate body 341 and a pin 342 extending downward from the bottom end of the plate body 341. The plate body 341 is located inside the corresponding side plate 122 and abuts against the top surface of the bottom wall 121. The bottom wall 121 can simultaneously support multiple folding plates 34, which can further improve the stability and flatness of the metal shell 3 when assembled with the insulating body 1. The pin 342 passes through the corresponding through hole 125 and partially protrudes below the corresponding through hole 125 for insertion into the corresponding through hole 51 of the circuit board 5, so that the pin 342 and the circuit board 5 can be fixedly joined together by solder. The through hole 125 allows the corresponding pin 342 to pass through, which can position the pin 342 and thus improve the positional accuracy of the pin 342 when it is subsequently soldered onto the circuit board 5.

[0126] The inner surface of each front plate 31 of the metal casing 3, the inner surface of the corresponding side plate 33, and the inner surface of the plate body 341 of the corresponding folding plate 34, together with the corresponding front side surface 113 of the insulating body 1, define a corresponding front groove 41, which has an upward opening 411. The inner surface of the first plate body 320 of the metal casing 3, together with the corresponding rear side surface 114 of the insulating body 1 and the corresponding two protrusions 13, define a corresponding rear groove 42, which has an upward opening 421.

[0127] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 The receptacle connector 100 provides two similar types of plug connector mating. One type of plug connector primarily includes a circuit board, a front plate surrounding the circuit board, and two side plates. The other type of plug connector primarily includes a circuit board, a front plate, a rear plate, and two side plates surrounding the circuit board. The slot 111, front groove 41, rear groove 42, and recess 123 of the recessed section 12 of the receptacle connector 100 are respectively used for insertion into the circuit board, the front plate, the rear plate, and the corresponding side plate. The circuit board of the plug connector can be inserted into or removed from the slot 111 via the opening 112. The front plate of the plug connector can be inserted into or removed from the front groove 41 via the opening 411. The rear plate of the plug connector can be inserted into or removed from the rear groove 42 via the opening 421. The corresponding side plate of the plug connector can be inserted into or removed from the groove 123 via the opening 124.

[0128] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 The socket connector 100 can also provide two similar types of electronic card 6 docking. One type of electronic card 6 mainly includes two plug-in portions 61 and a guide portion 62 located between the multiple plug-in portions 61. The other type of electronic card (not shown) only has multiple plug-in portions 61 but does not have the guide portion 62. The multiple slots 111 of the socket connector 100 and the recess 123 of the recessed section 12 are respectively used for the multiple plug-in portions 61 and the guide portion 62 to be inserted. Each plug-in portion 61 of the electronic card 6 can be inserted into or removed from the corresponding slot 111 through the corresponding opening 112. The guide portion 62 of the electronic card 6 can be inserted into or removed from the recess 123 through the opening 124.

[0129] As described above, the socket connector 100 of this first embodiment can not only mate with the plug connector and the electronic card 6, but also provide mates with two similar types of plug connectors and two similar types of electronic card 6. This makes the socket connector 100 applicable to a wider range of situations and more flexible.

[0130] It should be noted that in another embodiment of this first embodiment, the socket connector 100 may omit multiple back slots 42 as needed, so that the plug connector that the socket connector 100 can mate with is a plug connector that does not have the back plate.

[0131] See Figure 9 The second embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the first embodiment, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 are different.

[0132] See Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 12 The rear portion of the metal casing 3, corresponding to both ends of each slot 111, is close to the insulating body 1. The rear portion of the metal casing 3, corresponding to the middle of each slot 111, protrudes rearward away from the insulating body 1 and together with the insulating body 1 defines the corresponding rear groove 42. Specifically, the first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 has a base 324, two side portions 325, and two protrusions 326. The base 324 corresponds to the recessed section 12 and is close to the multiple rear side surfaces 114 of the multiple outer sections 11. The multiple side portions 325 extend inward from the rear ends of the multiple side plates 33, and the multiple side portions 325 correspond to the multiple outer ends 115 of the multiple outer sections 11 and are close to the multiple rear side surfaces 114. Each side portion 325 and the base 324 correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot 111. Each protrusion 326 connects the base 324 and the corresponding side portion 325 and has two side pieces 327 and a connecting piece 328. Multiple side pieces 327 extend rearward from the outer side of the base 324 and the inner side of the corresponding side portion 325, respectively. A connecting piece 328 is connected to the rear end of the multiple side pieces 327 and is located away from the corresponding rear side surface 114. Each protrusion 326 corresponds to the middle portion of the corresponding slot 111 and, together with the corresponding rear side surface 114, defines the corresponding rear groove 42.

[0133] See Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 13The retaining block 15 of the insulating body 1 is connected to the rear end of the bottom wall 121 of the recessed section 12 and the rear side surfaces 114 of the multiple outer sections 11. The retaining block 15 also forms a through hole 152 extending downward from the bottom end of the retaining groove 151. The retaining groove 151 and the through hole 152 penetrate the retaining block 15 along the vertical direction Z. The length of the through hole 152 along the horizontal direction Y is less than the length of the retaining groove 151 along the horizontal direction Y. The retaining piece 322 of the first plate 320 extends downward from the bottom end of the base 324 and is engaged with the retaining groove 151. The first plate 320 also has a pin 329 extending downward from the bottom end of the retaining piece 322. The pin 329 passes through the through hole 152 and partially protrudes below the through hole 152 for insertion into the circuit board 5 (e.g., Figure 1 The pin 329 is fixedly bonded to the circuit board 5 by solder through a through hole (not shown in the figure).

[0134] The rear plate 32 has two second plates 321, and the multiple second plates 321 extend downward and backward from the bottom end of the connecting piece 328 of the multiple protrusions 326, and each of the second plates 321 has the pin 323.

[0135] See Figure 12 and Figure 13 In this second embodiment, the insulating body 1 and the metal housing 3 of the socket connector 100 provide another way of defining the plurality of rear slots 42.

[0136] See Figure 14 and Figure 15 The third embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the second embodiment, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 are different.

[0137] The insulating body 1 has a protrusion 13 extending rearward from the portion of each slot 111 away from the recessed section 12. The metal casing 3 has a portion of its rear side adjacent to the insulating body 1, corresponding to the portion of each slot 111 near the end of the recessed section 12. Each rear groove 42 is formed between the metal casing 3 and the corresponding protrusion 13. Specifically, the insulating body 1 has two protrusions 13 that extend rearward from multiple rear sides 114 and correspond to multiple outer ends 115, each protrusion 13 corresponding to the end of the corresponding slot 111 away from the recessed section 12. The base 324 of the first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 corresponds to the end of each slot 111 near the recessed section 12. Each protrusion 326 connects the outer side of the base 324 to the corresponding side plate 33. Each protrusion 326 has one side piece 327, which extends rearward from the outer side of the base 324. Each of the protrusions 326 has a connecting piece 328 that connects between the rear end of the side piece 327 and the corresponding rear end of the side plate 33, and is located away from the corresponding rear side surface 114. Each of the protrusions 326, together with the corresponding rear side surface 114 and the corresponding protrusion 13, defines the corresponding rear groove 42, and each rear groove 42 is formed between the corresponding protrusion 326 and the corresponding protrusion 13.

[0138] See Figure 16 and Figure 17 The fourth embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the first embodiment, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 are different.

[0139] The insulating body 1 extends rearward from the portion of each slot 111 adjacent to one end of the recessed segment 12, forming a protrusion 13. The metal casing 3 is located near the insulating body 1 at the portion of each slot 111 away from the end of the recessed segment 12. Each rear groove 42 is formed between the metal casing 3 and the corresponding protrusion 13. Specifically, multiple protrusions 13 extend rearward from multiple rear side surfaces 114. The first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 has two sides 325 and a protrusion 326. Multiple sides 325 extend inward from the rear ends of multiple side plates 33, and each side 325 corresponds to multiple outer ends 115 of multiple outer segments 11 and is adjacent to multiple rear side surfaces 114. Each side 325 and the corresponding protrusion 13 correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot 111. The protrusion 326 connects between the multiple sides 325 and has two side pieces 327 and a connecting piece 328. Multiple side pieces 327 extend rearward from the inner side of multiple side portions 325. A connecting piece 328 connects to the rear end of the multiple side pieces 327 and corresponds to multiple rear side surfaces 114 and multiple protrusions 13, and is located away from the multiple rear side surfaces 114. A protrusion 326, together with the corresponding rear side surface 114 and the corresponding protrusion 13, defines a corresponding rear groove 42, and each rear groove 42 is formed between the protrusion 326 and the corresponding protrusion 13. The retaining piece 322 of the first plate 320 extends downward from the middle of the bottom end of the connecting piece 328 and is engaged in the retaining groove 151.

[0140] See Figure 18 The fifth embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the first embodiment, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 and the number of multiple terminal modules 2 are different.

[0141] The insulating body 1 has an inner section 10, two recessed sections 12, and six protrusions 13. The inner section 10 is located between a plurality of outer sections 11. The structure of the inner section 10 is the same as that of the outer sections 11 and includes the slot 111, the front side 113, and the rear side 114. Each recessed section 12 connects to the corresponding outer section 11 and the inner section 10. Every two protrusions 13 extend rearward from the corresponding rear side 114 and correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot 111. The two outermost protrusions 13 correspond to a plurality of outer ends 115, and the two adjacent protrusions 13 in the middle correspond to a plurality of sides 122 of the corresponding recessed section 12.

[0142] The metal casing 3 has three front panels 31 and four folding plates 34. The middle front panel 31 is located in front of the front side surface 113 of the inner section 10. The two outermost folding plates 34 are respectively connected to the bottom walls 121 of the plurality of recessed sections 12 (e.g., ...). Figure 2(As shown). The other two folding plates 34 located in the middle extend rearward from the left and right sides of the middle front plate 31 and are respectively connected to the bottom walls 121 of the multiple recessed sections 12. Three front grooves 41 and three rear grooves 42 are formed between the metal shell 3 and the insulating body 1. The inner plate surface of the middle front plate 31 and the corresponding multiple folding plates 34, together with the front side surface 113 of the inner side section 10, define the middle front groove 41. The inner plate surface of the first plate 320 of the metal shell 3, together with the rear side surface 114 of the inner side section 10 and the corresponding two protrusions 13, define the middle rear groove 42. Each rear groove 42 is formed between the corresponding two protrusions 13. The number of multiple terminal modules 2 is three pairs, and the middle pair of terminal modules 2 is disposed in the inner side section 10.

[0143] The socket connector 100 of this fifth embodiment can provide a greater number of plug connector matings and can provide matings for the electronic card 6 with a greater number of plug portions 61. It should be noted that in other embodiments of this fifth embodiment, the number of inner sections 10, the number of recessed sections 12, the number of front plates 31, the number of folding plates 34, and the number of protrusions 13 can also be increased as needed, so that the number of slots 111, the number of front slots 41, and the number of rear slots 42 can each be four or more, and the number of recessed sections 12 can be three or more. Furthermore, the dimensions of the slots 111 can also be different.

[0144] See Figure 19 The sixth embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the second and fifth embodiments, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 is different.

[0145] The first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 has two bases 324, two sides 325, and three protrusions 326. The bases 324 correspond to multiple recessed sections 12 and to the two ends of the central slot 111. Each base 324 is close to the rear side 114 of the corresponding outer section 11 and the rear side 114 of the corresponding inner section 10. Each side 325 and its corresponding base 324 correspond to the two ends of the outer slot 111. Multiple side pieces 327 of the outermost protrusion 326 are connected to the corresponding base 324 and the corresponding side 325. Multiple side pieces 327 of the central protrusion 326 are connected to the multiple bases 324. Each protrusion 326 corresponds to the middle portion of the corresponding slot 111, and each protrusion 326, away from the corresponding rear side 114, together with the corresponding rear side 114, defines the corresponding rear groove 42.

[0146] See Figure 20The seventh embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a general structure that is similar to that of the third and fifth embodiments, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 is different.

[0147] The insulating body 1 extends rearward from the outermost slot 111, away from the end of the corresponding recessed segment 12, with a protrusion 13 extending rearward. The metal casing 3 is located near the insulating body 1 at the portion of each slot 111 adjacent to the end of the corresponding recessed segment 12. The outermost rear groove 42 is formed between the metal casing 3 and the corresponding protrusion 13, and the middle rear groove 42 is formed on the metal casing 3. Specifically, the insulating body 1 has protrusions 13. Each protrusion 13 extends rearward from the outermost rear side 114 and corresponds to the corresponding outer end 115, and each protrusion 13 corresponds to the outermost slot 111 away from the end of the corresponding recessed segment 12. The first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 has two bases 324 and three protrusions 326. The plurality of bases 324 correspond to a plurality of recessed segments 12. Each base 324 is connected between two corresponding protrusions 326 and is close to the rear side surface 114 of the corresponding outer segment 11 and the rear side surface 114 of the inner segment 10. Each base 324 corresponds to one end of the corresponding recessed segment 12 adjacent to each slot 111. The side piece 327 and the connecting piece 328 of the outermost protrusion 326 are respectively connected to the corresponding base 324 and the corresponding side plate 33. The middle protrusion 326 has two side pieces 327 that are respectively connected to the multiple bases 324, and a connecting piece 328 that connects the multiple side pieces 327. Each protrusion 326 is away from the corresponding rear side surface 114. The outermost rear groove 42 is formed between the corresponding protrusion 326 and the corresponding bump 13, and the middle rear groove 42 is formed on the corresponding protrusion 326.

[0148] See Figure 21 The eighth embodiment of the socket connector 100 of the present invention has a generally similar overall structure to the fourth and fifth embodiments, except that the structure of the insulating body 1 and the metal shell 3 is different.

[0149] The insulating body 1 extends rearward from the portion of each slot 111 adjacent to one end of the corresponding recessed segment 12, forming a protrusion 13. The metal casing 3 is located near the insulating body 1 at the portion of the outermost slot 111 away from the end of the corresponding recessed segment 12. The outermost rear groove 42 is formed between the metal casing 3 and the corresponding protrusion 13, and the middle rear groove 42 is formed between two corresponding protrusions 13. Specifically, the insulating body 1 has four protrusions 13, each protrusion 13 extending rearward from the corresponding rear side surface 114 and corresponding to the side surface 122 of the corresponding recessed segment 12. The first plate 320 of the metal casing 3 has two side portions 325 and a protrusion 326. Each side portion 325 and the corresponding protrusion 13 correspond to the two ends of the outermost slot 111. The two middle protrusions 13 correspond to the two ends of the middle slot 111, respectively. The multiple side pieces 327 of the protrusion 326 extend rearward from the inner side of the multiple side portions 325. The connecting piece 328 of the protrusion 326 is connected to the rear end of the multiple side pieces 327 and corresponds to the multiple rear side surfaces 114 and the multiple protrusions 13 and is located away from the multiple rear side surfaces 114. The outermost rear groove 42 is formed between the corresponding protrusion 13 and the protrusion 326.

[0150] In summary, the socket connector 100 of each embodiment, through the design of at least two slots 111, at least one recessed section 12, at least two front slots 41, and at least two rear slots 42, enables the socket connector 100 to mate not only with the plug connector but also with the electronic card 6. Therefore, the socket connector 100 can provide at least two different types of mating components, making its application more widespread and meeting the usage requirements for mating different types of components, thus effectively achieving the purpose of this invention.

[0151] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A socket connector, comprising: An insulating body extends along a left-right direction and is formed with at least two slots and at least one recessed section located between the at least two slots, wherein the at least two slots and the recessed section are arranged along the left-right direction; Multiple terminals are disposed on the insulating body, each terminal having a contact portion extending into the corresponding slot; and A metal casing is fitted onto the insulating body and surrounds the insulating body. At least two front grooves are formed between the metal casing and the insulating body, respectively located in front of at least two of the slots, and at least two rear grooves are respectively located behind at least two of the slots. The length of each rear groove along the left-right direction is less than the length of the corresponding slot along the left-right direction.

2. The socket connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The recessed section has a bottom wall and two side walls connected to the bottom wall and spaced apart along the left-right direction.

3. The socket connector as described in claim 2, wherein, The rear side of the insulating body extends two protrusions corresponding to the two ends of each slot, and each rear slot is formed between the two corresponding protrusions.

4. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slot, and four protrusions. Each pair of protrusions extends rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponds to the two ends of the corresponding slot. The two outermost protrusions correspond to the two outer ends, and the other two protrusions in the middle correspond to the two sides. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

5. The socket connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The insulating body also has a connecting block that connects between two corresponding protrusions adjacent to the recessed section and to the ends of the two protrusions.

6. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The rear side of the metal casing, corresponding to the two ends of each slot, is close to the insulating body, and the rear side of the metal casing, corresponding to the middle of each slot, protrudes rearward away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

7. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction. The rear side of the metal casing has a base corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, two side portions corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and two protrusions. Each side portion and the base portion respectively correspond to the two ends of the corresponding slot. Each protrusion is connected between the base portion and the corresponding side portion and corresponds to the middle part of the corresponding slot. Each protrusion is away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

8. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The rear side of the insulating body extends a protrusion corresponding to the portion of each slot away from the recessed section. The rear side of the metal casing is close to the insulating body at the portion of each slot adjacent to the recessed section. Each rear groove is formed between the metal casing and the corresponding protrusion.

9. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slots, and two protrusions extending rearward from the rear sides and corresponding to the two outer ends, each protrusion corresponding to the end of the corresponding slot away from the recessed section. The rear side of the metal housing has a base corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, and two protrusions connected to the opposite side of the base and away from the insulating body, each base corresponding to the end of each slot adjacent to the recessed section. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the corresponding protrusion.

10. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The rear side of the insulating body extends a protrusion corresponding to the portion of each slot near one end of the recessed section. The rear side of the metal casing is close to the insulating body at the portion of each slot away from the end of the recessed section. Each rear groove is formed between the metal casing and the corresponding protrusion.

11. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, two rear sides located behind the slot, and two protrusions extending rearward from the rear sides and corresponding to the two sides respectively. The rear side of the metal housing has two sides corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and a protrusion connecting the two sides and away from the insulating body. Each side and the corresponding protrusion correspond to the two ends of the slot, and each rear groove is formed between the protrusion and the corresponding protrusion.

12. The socket connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The insulating body also has a connecting block that connects between the two protrusions and is adjacent to the ends of the two protrusions.

13. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The insulating body has at least three slots and at least two recessed sections, each of the recessed sections being located between two corresponding slots, and the metal housing and the insulating body have at least three front grooves and at least three rear grooves.

14. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides located behind the slot, and six protrusions. Each pair of protrusions extends rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponds to the two ends of the corresponding slot. The two outermost protrusions correspond to the two outer ends, and the two adjacent protrusions in the middle correspond to the two sides of the corresponding recessed section. Each rear groove is formed between the corresponding two protrusions.

15. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction. The rear side of the metal casing has two bases corresponding to the recessed section and close to the insulating body, two side portions corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and three protrusions. The two bases correspond to the two ends of the middle slot, and each side portion and its corresponding base portion correspond to the two ends of the outer slot. The outermost protrusion is connected between the corresponding base portion and the corresponding side portion. The middle protrusion is connected between the two bases. Each protrusion corresponds to the middle part of the corresponding slot. Each protrusion is away from the insulating body and together with the insulating body defines the corresponding rear slot.

16. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The rear side of the insulating body extends a protrusion from the portion of the outermost slot away from the corresponding recessed section. The rear side of the metal casing is close to the insulating body at the portion of each slot adjacent to the corresponding recessed section. The outermost rear groove is formed between the metal casing and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed on the metal casing.

17. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides respectively located behind the slot, and two protrusions. Each protrusion extends rearward from the outermost rear side and corresponds to the corresponding outer end. Each protrusion corresponds to the outermost end of the slot away from the corresponding recessed section. The rear side of the metal casing has two bases respectively corresponding to the recessed sections, and three protrusions. Each base is connected between the two corresponding protrusions and is close to the insulating body and corresponds to each slot adjacent to the corresponding recessed section. Each protrusion is away from the insulating body. The outermost rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed on the corresponding protrusion.

18. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The rear side of the insulating body extends a protrusion from the portion of the slot adjacent to one end of the corresponding recessed section. The rear side of the metal casing is close to the insulating body at the portion of the outermost slot away from the corresponding recessed section. The outermost rear groove is formed between the metal casing and the corresponding protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed between the two corresponding protrusions.

19. The socket connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein, The insulating body has two outer ends spaced apart along the left-right direction, three rear sides located behind the slot, and four protrusions. Each protrusion extends rearward from the corresponding rear side and corresponds to the side of the corresponding recessed segment. The rear side of the metal casing has two sides corresponding to the outer ends and close to the insulating body, and a protrusion connecting the two sides and away from the insulating body. Each side and the corresponding protrusion correspond to the outermost two ends of the slot. The two protrusions in the middle correspond to the middle two ends of the slot. The outermost rear groove is formed between the corresponding protrusion and the protrusion, and the middle rear groove is formed between the two corresponding protrusions.

20. The socket connector according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The insulating body has a retaining groove formed on its rear side, and the metal outer shell has a retaining piece that is engaged in the retaining groove on its rear side.

21. The socket connector according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The insulating body has multiple through holes, and the metal housing has multiple downwardly extending pins, each of which passes through a corresponding through hole and partially protrudes below the corresponding through hole.

22. The socket connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The bottom wall has two through holes adjacent to the side. The front side of the metal casing has two folding plates that extend rearward to the inner side of the side. Each folding plate has a plate body that abuts against the bottom wall and a pin that extends downward from the bottom end of the plate body. The pin of each folding plate passes through the corresponding through hole and partially protrudes below the corresponding through hole.

23. The socket connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The recessed section defines a groove, and each of the grooves, each of the slots, each of the front slots and each of the rear slots each has an upward-facing opening.

24. The socket connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The metal casing has multiple downward-extending pins.

25. The socket connector of claim 1, comprising multiple pairs of terminal modules having multiple said terminals, each pair of terminal modules being coupled together and mounted on the insulating body.

26. A socket connector, comprising: An insulating body extends along a left-right direction and is formed with at least two slots and at least one recessed section located between the at least two slots, wherein the at least two slots and the recessed section are arranged along the left-right direction; Multiple terminals are disposed on the insulating body, each terminal having a contact portion extending into the corresponding slot; and A metal outer shell is fitted onto the insulating body and surrounds the insulating body. At least two slots corresponding to the slots are formed between the metal outer shell and the insulating body. Each slot and the corresponding slot are arranged in a front-back direction perpendicular to the left-right direction.

27. The socket connector as claimed in claim 26, wherein, Each slot is a front slot located on the front side of the corresponding slot.

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