Electrical connector and its mating connector

Abstract

An electric connector and a mating connector thereof, the electric connector comprising an insulating body, a conductive terminal and a shielding shell, the shielding shell comprising a bottom plate and an annular wall, a receiving cavity being formed between the bottom plate and the annular wall, the insulating body comprising a base abutting against the bottom plate and a mating portion protruding from the base and located in the receiving cavity, an annular slot being formed between the annular wall and the mating portion, the conductive terminal comprising a contact portion exposed to the mating portion and a soldering portion extending out of the base, the annular wall being integrally bent to form a locking elastic arm located in the annular slot, the mating connector comprising an insulator having a base and a plug-in portion, a mating terminal and a mating shell surrounding the insulator, the mating terminal comprising a second contact portion exposed to the plug-in portion, when the two connectors are mated, the plug-in portion is matched with the mating portion, the second contact portion is matched with the contact portion, the outer wall surface of the mating shell is abutted against the inner wall surface of the shielding shell, and the locking elastic arm is abutted against the inside of the mating shell, the electric connector of the present application is simple in structure and reliable in holding between the two connectors.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector and its mating connector, particularly a cable connector and its mating board connector. [Background Technology]

[0002] Chinese Invention Patent CN111066211B discloses a cable connector and a mating board-end connector thereof. The cable connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals held in the insulating body, a shielding shell covering the insulating body, and a cable connecting the conductive terminals. The mating connector includes an insulator, mating terminals held in the insulator, and a mating shell covering the insulator. When the two connectors are mated, the shielding shell of the cable connector only secures the mating shell of the mating connector through its ring wall. Thus, under a small lateral prying force, the cable connector can easily detach from the board-end connector in the mating state.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to improve existing electrical connectors and their mating connectors to overcome the above-mentioned defects. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a reliable electrical connector and its mating connector, which has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an electrical connector, comprising an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, and a shielding shell covering the insulating body, the shielding shell comprising a base plate and an annular wall integrally connected to the base plate and surrounding the upper periphery of the base plate, the base plate and the annular wall forming a receiving cavity for receiving the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base abutting against the base plate and a mating portion extending upward from the base and disposed in the receiving cavity, the annular wall and the mating portion forming an annular slot, the conductive terminals comprising a contact portion exposed to the mating portion and a solder portion extending out of the base, the annular wall integrally bent to form a locking spring arm located within the annular slot.

[0006] Furthermore, the shielding housing is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate, and the annular wall includes a longitudinally extending rear side wall integrally bent upward from the rear end of the bottom plate, and a pair of end walls extending forward from the longitudinal ends of the rear side wall in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lower edge of each end wall is bent inward and upward to form the locking spring arm.

[0007] Furthermore, the longitudinal sides of the base plate are integrally bent upward to form limiting pieces located on the outer sides of the pair of end walls to restrict the end walls from opening outward. The rear side wall and the inner wall of the end wall protrude into the receiving cavity to form limiting protrusions, and the limiting protrusions press the base to restrict the base from moving upward.

[0008] Furthermore, the annular wall is also provided with a front sidewall that is connected to the end wall and opposite to the rear sidewall, and the welded part extends forward out of the front sidewall.

[0009] Furthermore, the front sidewall includes a pair of front half sidewalls respectively connected to a pair of the end walls, the pair of front half sidewalls being longitudinally spaced to form a notch for the welded portion to extend forward.

[0010] Furthermore, the elastic arm includes a lower plate portion facing the bottom plate that bends inward from approximately the middle of the lower edge of the end wall, and an elastic arm with a locking protrusion that bends upward from the lower plate portion. The elastic arm and the end wall form a clamping space in the longitudinal direction, and the end wall forms cuts on both sides of the lower plate portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the mating portion is recessed to form a slot, the contact portion is exposed in the slot, and the base has clearance grooves on both longitudinal sides of the mating portion corresponding to the locking spring arm to accommodate the locking spring arm.

[0012] Furthermore, the conductive terminals of the electrical connector are connected to the cable, the base plate forms a mounting plate at the front end of the annular wall, the welding part extends forward from the annular wall and is located above the mounting plate, and the cable is welded to the welding part above the mounting plate.

[0013] The object of the present invention can also be achieved through the following technical solution: a mating connector for mating with an electrical connector, the mating connector comprising an insulator, a plurality of mating terminals fixed to the insulator, and a mating shell covering the insulator, the insulator comprising a base and a plug portion protruding upward from the base, the mating terminals comprising a second contact portion exposed to the plug portion and a second welding portion extending out of the base, the mating shell comprising a base fixed to the base and an annular wall portion protruding upward from the base, the annular wall portion surrounding the periphery of the plug portion, the corner of the annular wall of the shielding shell and the annular wall portion of the mating shell having mutually mating protrusions and recesses, when the mating connector is mated with the electrical connector, the plug portion mats with the mating portion, the second contact portion mats with the contact portion, the outer wall surface of the mating shell abuts against the inner wall surface of the shielding shell, and the locking spring arm locks onto the inner side of the mating shell.

[0014] Furthermore, the insulator also includes an annular retaining wall surrounding the plug portion and forming an annular groove with the plug portion. The annular wall portion is circumferentially fixed to the annular retaining wall. The annular wall portion includes an annular base fixed to the annular retaining wall and a protruding ring extending inward from the upper end of the annular base. The mating portion of the electrical connector is recessed to form a slot. The contact portion is disposed in the slot. The locking spring arms are respectively provided on both longitudinal sides of the mating portion. The longitudinal ends of the annular retaining wall are provided with slots to accommodate the locking spring arms. When the mating connector is mated with the electrical connector, the plug portion is inserted into the slot, the second contact portion is mated with the contact portion, and the locking spring arm passes over the protruding ring and is located at the slot. The protruding ring restricts the movement of the locking spring arm in the vertical direction.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, in the electrical connector and its mating connector of the present invention, the shielding shell of the electrical connector includes a base plate and an annular wall integrally bent upward from the base plate. The base plate and the annular wall are used to hold the insulating body. The annular wall integrally extends into the annular slot to form a locking elasticity. When the electrical connector and the mating connector are mated, the inner wall surface of the annular wall of the shielding shell abuts against the outer wall surface of the mating shell. The locking spring arm of the shielding shell extending from the annular wall further latches with the mating shell. The one-piece shielding shell structure is simple, and the two shells not only abut against each other through the walls of the shells, but also further utilize the locking spring arm of the shielding shell to latch the mating shell, so that the two connectors remain reliable after mating and avoid the two connectors from loosening due to small lateral lifting force. [Attached Image Description]

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector and mating connector of the present invention before they are mated.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional exploded view from another perspective.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the mating connector of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional exploded view from another perspective.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector of the present invention mating with the mating connector.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A sectional view along line AA.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Sectional view along line BB.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 2 A sectional view along line CC.

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view along line DD.

[0027] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0028] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical connector 100 and its mating connector 200 of the present invention are a combination of a wire-end connector and a board-end connector. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector 100 is connected to a cable (not shown) to form a wire-end connector, and the mating connector 200 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) to form a board-end connector.

[0029] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the electrical connector 100 includes an insulating body 1, a plurality of conductive terminals 2 fixed to the insulating body 1, and a shielding shell 3 covering the insulating body 1 with metal. The insulating body 1 includes a base 11 and a mating portion 12 protruding upward from the base 11. The conductive terminals 2 include a holding portion 21 fixed to the insulating body 1, a contact portion 22 exposed to the mating portion 12, and a soldering portion 23 extending out of the base 11. The shielding shell 3 includes a base plate 31 and an annular wall 32 integrally connected to the base plate 31 and surrounding the upper part of the base plate 31. The base plate 31 and the annular wall 32 form a receiving cavity 33 for receiving the insulating body 1. The base 11 of the insulating body 1 abuts downward against the base plate 31, the mating portion 12 is disposed in the receiving cavity 33, and an annular slot 34 is formed between the annular wall 32 and the mating portion 12.

[0030] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the mating connector 200 includes an insulator 4, a plurality of mating terminals 5 fixed to the insulator 4, and a mating housing 6 covering the insulator 4. The insulator 4 includes a base 41 and a plug-in portion 42 protruding upward from the base 41. The mating terminals 5 include a second holding portion 51 fixed to the insulator 4, a second contact portion 52 exposed to the plug-in portion 42, and a second welding portion 53 extending out of the base 41. The mating housing 6 includes a base 61 fixed to the base 41 and an annular wall portion 62 protruding upward from the base 61, the annular wall portion 62 surrounding the periphery of the plug-in portion 42.

[0031] Combination Figures 7 to 10 As shown, the inner wall surface 321 at the corner of the annular wall 32 of the shielding housing 3 is provided with a protrusion 3211, and the outer wall surface 621 at the corner of the annular wall portion 62 of the docking housing 6 is provided with a recess 6211. When the electrical connector 100 docks with the docking connector 200, the insertion portion 42 docks with the docking portion 12, the second contact portion 52 docks with the contact portion 22, and the annular wall portion 62 of the docking housing 6 is inserted into the annular slot 34 so that its outer wall surface 621 abuts against the inner wall surface 321 of the annular wall 32 of the shielding housing 3. The protrusion 3211 and the recess 6211 of the shielding housing 3 are mutually matched. To increase the holding force between the mating electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200, the annular wall 32 of the shielding housing 3 is integrally bent to form a locking spring arm 322 located in the annular slot 34. The locking spring arm 322 will lock into the inner side of the mating housing 6 when the electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 are mated, so as to prevent the electrical connector 100 and the mating connector 200 from loosening under the action of a small lateral lifting force.

[0032] Specifically, the shielding housing 3 of the electrical connector 100 of the present invention is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. The annular wall 32 includes a rear side wall 301 integrally bent upward from the rear end of the base plate 31, and a pair of end walls 302 extending forward from the longitudinal ends of the rear side wall 301 in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the annular wall 32 is also provided with a front side wall 303 opposite to the rear side wall 301. The front side wall 303 includes a pair of front half side walls 3031 respectively connected to the pair of end walls 302. A notch 3032 is formed between the pair of front half side walls 3031 in the longitudinal direction. The welding part 23 extends forward out of the notch 3032. The lower edge of each end wall 302 is bent inward and upward to form the locking spring arm 322. Preferably, the locking spring arm 322 is formed by bending inward from approximately the middle of the lower edge of the end wall 302. The locking spring arm 322 includes a lower plate portion 3221 facing the bottom plate 31 formed by bending inward from the lower edge of the end wall 302 and an elastic arm 3222 formed by bending upward from the lower plate portion 3221. The elastic arm 3222 and the end wall 302 form a clamping space 323 in the longitudinal direction for inserting the annular wall portion 62 of the docking housing 6. Furthermore, each of the locking spring arms 322 has a cutout 3021 formed on both sides of the lower plate portion 3221 on its corresponding end wall 302. The cutout 3021 is provided to improve the elastic deformation performance of the locking spring arm 322. The elastic arm 3222 has a locking protrusion 32221 protruding towards the side of its lower plate portion 3221 in the longitudinal direction. The locking protrusion 32221 can not only increase the holding force on the docking housing 6, but also allow the docking housing 6 to be smoothly inserted into the clamping space 323. The base 11 has a clearance groove 111 on both sides of the docking portion 12 corresponding to the locking spring arm 322 to accommodate the locking spring arm 322. The clearance groove 111 provides clearance space for the locking spring arm 322 while restricting the movement of the locking spring arm 322 in the lateral direction.

[0033] The longitudinal sides of the base plate 31 are integrally bent upward to form limiting pieces 311 located on the outer sides of the pair of end walls 302 to restrict the outward opening of the end walls 302. The base plate 31 forms a mounting plate 34 at the front end of the annular wall 32. The longitudinal sides of the mounting plate 34 are integrally bent upward and inward to form a limiting upper plate 341. The pair of front half side walls 3031 extend forward to form extension pieces 30311 located between the limiting upper plate 341 and the mounting plate 34. The limiting upper plate 341 and the mounting plate 34 limit the extension pieces 30311 in the vertical direction, which can prevent the end walls 302 and the front side walls 303, which are not connected to the base plate 31, from moving upward relative to the base plate 31. The rear side wall 301 and the inner wall of the end wall 302 protrude into the receiving cavity 33 to form a limiting protrusion 304. The limiting protrusion 304 is used to press the base 11 to restrict the upward movement of the base 11. It should be noted that a pair of limiting protrusions 304 are provided on each end wall 302 and are respectively located on both sides of the locking spring arm 322. In the electrical connector 100, the mating part 12 is recessed from top to bottom to form a slot 121, the slot 121 further penetrates the base 11 downwards, the conductive terminal 2 is inserted upwards from the base 11, and the contact part 22 of the conductive terminal 2 is a U-shaped structure that receives and exposes the upward opening of the slot 121. In addition, the electrical connector 100 is connected to a cable (not shown) through the welding part 23 of its conductive terminal 2. The welding part 23 of the conductive terminal 2 extends forward out of the notch 3032 of the annular wall 32 and is located above the mounting plate 34. The cable (not shown) is welded to the welding part 23 above the mounting plate 34, and the limiting upper plate 341 can press and limit the cable.

[0034] Specifically, the insulator 4 of the mating connector 200 further includes an annular retaining wall 44 surrounding the plug portion 42 and forming an annular groove 43 with the plug portion 42. The annular wall portion 62 of the mating housing 6 is circumferentially fixed to the annular retaining wall 44. The plug portion 42 is a tongue-shaped structure protruding from the base 41, and the second contact portion 52 of the mating terminal 5 is an "n"-shaped structure with an opening facing downwards in the plug portion 42. The annular wall portion 62 includes a vertical annular base 622 fixed to the annular retaining wall 44 and a protruding ring 623 formed by bending inwards from the upper end of the annular base 622. Correspondingly, slots 441 are provided at both longitudinal ends 440 of the annular retaining wall 44 to accommodate the locking spring arm 322. When the mating connector 200 mates with the electrical connector 100, the insertion part 42 is inserted into the slot 121, the second contact part 52 is inserted into the contact part 22 and held by the contact part 22, and the locking protrusion 32221 of the locking spring arm 322 passes over the convex ring 623, so that the locking spring arm is located at the slot 441. It should be noted that after mating, the locking spring arm 322 located at the slot 441 is further restricted from lateral movement by the longitudinal ends 440 of the annular retaining wall 44, and after the locking spring arm 322 passes over the convex ring 623, it will open outward in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the convex ring 623 stops above the locking protrusion 32221 and restricts the locking spring arm 322 from moving in the vertical direction. In this way, it is avoided that the two connectors will loosen under a small lateral lifting force.

[0035] The above description is only a partial embodiment of the present invention, not all embodiments. Any equivalent changes to the technical solutions of the present invention made by those skilled in the art through reading the present invention specification are covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulating body, and a shielding shell covering the insulating body, the shielding shell comprising a base plate and an annular wall integrally connected to the base plate and surrounding the upper periphery of the base plate, the base plate and the annular wall forming a receiving cavity for receiving the insulating body, the insulating body comprising a base abutting against the base plate and a mating portion extending upward from the base and disposed in the receiving cavity, the annular wall and the mating portion forming an annular slot, the conductive terminals comprising a contact portion exposed to the mating portion and a solder portion extending out of the base, characterized in that: The annular wall is integrally bent to form a locking spring arm located in the annular slot. The shielding housing is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. The annular wall includes a longitudinally extending rear side wall integrally bent upward from the rear end of the bottom plate, and a pair of end walls extending forward from the longitudinal ends of the rear side wall in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lower edge of each end wall is bent inward and upward to form the locking spring arm.

2. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal sides of the base plate are integrally bent upward to form limiting pieces located on the outer sides of the pair of end walls to restrict the end walls from opening outward. The rear side wall and the inner wall of the end wall protrude into the receiving cavity to form limiting protrusions, and the limiting protrusions press the base to restrict the base from moving upward.

3. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The annular wall is also provided with a front sidewall that is connected to the end wall and opposite to the rear sidewall, and the welded part extends forward out of the front sidewall.

4. The electrical connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The front sidewall includes a pair of front half sidewalls respectively connected to a pair of the end walls, the pair of front half sidewalls being longitudinally spaced to form a notch for the weld to extend forward.

5. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The locking spring arm includes a lower plate portion facing the base plate that bends inward from approximately the middle of the lower edge of the end wall, and an elastic arm with a locking protrusion that bends upward from the lower plate portion. The elastic arm and the end wall form a clamping space in the longitudinal direction, and the end wall forms cuts on both sides of the lower plate portion in the transverse direction.

6. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The docking portion is recessed to form a slot, the contact portion is exposed in the slot, and the base has clearance grooves on both longitudinal sides of the docking portion corresponding to the locking spring arm to accommodate the locking spring arm.

7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive terminals of the electrical connector are connected to the cable. The base plate forms a mounting plate at the front end of the annular wall. The welding part extends forward from the annular wall and is located above the mounting plate. The cable is welded to the welding part above the mounting plate.

8. A mating connector for mates with the electrical connector of claim 1, characterized in that: The docking connector includes an insulator, a plurality of docking terminals fixed to the insulator, and a docking housing covering the insulator. The insulator includes a base and a plug portion protruding upward from the base. The docking terminals include a second contact portion exposed to the plug portion and a second welding portion extending out of the base. The docking housing includes a base fixed to the base and an annular wall portion protruding upward from the base. The annular wall portion surrounds the periphery of the plug portion. The annular wall of the shielding housing and the annular wall portion of the docking housing are provided with mating protrusions and recesses at their corners. When the docking connector is docked with the electrical connector, the plug portion docks with the docking portion, the second contact portion docks with the contact portion, the outer wall surface of the docking housing abuts against the inner wall surface of the shielding housing, and the locking spring arm locks onto the inner side of the docking housing.

9. The mating connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The insulator further includes an annular retaining wall surrounding the plug portion and forming an annular groove with the plug portion. The annular wall portion is circumferentially fixed to the annular retaining wall. The annular wall portion includes an annular base fixed to the annular retaining wall and a protruding ring extending inward from the upper end of the annular base. The mating portion of the electrical connector is recessed to form a slot. The contact portion is disposed in the slot. The locking spring arms are respectively provided on both longitudinal sides of the mating portion. The longitudinal ends of the annular retaining wall are provided with slots to accommodate the locking spring arms. When the mating connector is mated with the electrical connector, the plug portion is inserted into the slot, the second contact portion is mated with the contact portion, and the locking spring arm passes over the protruding ring and is located at the slot. The protruding ring restricts the movement of the locking spring arm in the vertical direction.

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