A connector

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of electric connectors, in particular to a connector which comprises an outer fixing shell and at least two terminal modules, the terminal module comprises an insulator and a terminal, the insulator is provided with a clamping protrusion, the outer fixing shell is provided with a clamping cavity for clamping the clamping protrusion, the terminals of two adjacent terminal modules are arranged in a staggered mode, the clamping protrusions of one of the two adjacent terminal modules are first-type protrusions, and the clamping protrusions of the other are second-type protrusions, the first-type protrusions and the second-type protrusions are protrusions with different shapes and / or sizes, the clamping cavities on the outer fixing shell comprise first-type cavities matched with the first-type protrusions and second-type cavities matched with the second-type protrusions; when the terminal modules are assembled, different kinds of clamping protrusions have different kinds of corresponding clamping cavities matched therewith, whether the terminal modules are wrongly assembled can be judged through the matching of the clamping protrusions and the clamping cavities, and the terminal modules are not prone to being wrongly assembled during assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical connector technology, and more specifically to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] Existing connectors include an insulated outer housing and several terminal modules mounted on the outer housing. Each terminal module includes terminals and an insulator injection-molded into a single piece. The terminals are arranged in pairs to form differential pairs, and the insulator is fixed to the outer housing. The basic structure of this connector can be seen in a high-speed orthogonal connector disclosed in Chinese invention patent CN113690695B, where the bent female chip is the terminal module and the bent female housing is the outer housing. In this type of connector, each terminal module is typically snap-fitted onto the outer housing. The insulator of the terminal module has a snap-fit ​​protrusion with a wedge-shaped portion. The outer housing has snap-fit ​​cavities for the snap-fit ​​protrusion to engage. The beveled surface of the wedge-shaped portion guides the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity during snap-fit. The terminal modules are arranged side-by-side, and correspondingly, the snap-fit ​​cavities on the outer housing are arranged side-by-side. To facilitate high-frequency signal transmission, the terminal traces of adjacent end submodules within the same connector are staggered, and the differential pairs of adjacent end submodules are not directly aligned. Therefore, terminal modules are divided into Type A and Type B terminal modules. Type A and Type B terminal modules have staggered terminal arrangements, and they are arranged alternately on the outer housing in an ABABAB… pattern. However, Type A and Type B terminal modules have very similar overall appearance and structure, making incorrect assembly relatively easy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a connector that solves the problem of incorrect installation of terminal modules in current connectors.

[0004] The technical solution of the connector of the present invention is as follows: A connector includes an outer fixing shell and at least two terminal modules. Each terminal module includes an insulator and a terminal. The insulator has a snap-fit ​​protrusion, and the outer fixing shell has a snap-fit ​​cavity for the snap-fit ​​protrusion to snap into. The terminals of adjacent end sub-modules are staggered. One of the snap-fit ​​protrusions of the adjacent end sub-modules is a first type protrusion, and the other has a second type protrusion. The first type protrusion and the second type protrusion are two types of protrusions with different shapes and / or sizes. The snap-fit ​​cavity on the outer fixing shell includes a first type cavity adapted to the first type protrusion and a second type cavity adapted to the second type protrusion.

[0005] Beneficial effects: This invention improves upon existing connectors by creating two types of terminal modules based on the misaligned terminal design of adjacent end sub-modules. The snap-fit ​​protrusions on the insulator of each terminal module are configured in two different ways: one type has a first-type protrusion, and the other has a second-type protrusion. Correspondingly, the snap-fit ​​cavities on the outer fixing shell are divided into first-type and second-type cavities. This allows for intuitive selection of the corresponding terminal module during assembly by visually identifying the different types of snap-fit ​​protrusions. Furthermore, different types of snap-fit ​​protrusions have different corresponding snap-fit ​​cavities, and the compatibility between the snap-fit ​​protrusions and cavities of the terminal module can be used to determine if incorrect assembly has occurred. This reduces the likelihood of incorrect assembly and improves assembly efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​protrusion snaps into the snap-fit ​​cavity along the snap-fit ​​direction, and the length of the first type of protrusion along the snap-fit ​​direction is greater than the length of the second type of protrusion along the snap-fit ​​direction.

[0007] Beneficial effects: By using interlocking protrusions of different lengths to form two types of protrusions, it is beneficial to simplify the protrusion structure and facilitate protrusion forming.

[0008] Furthermore, the first type of protrusion includes a first snap-fit ​​section and a second snap-fit ​​section arranged along the snap-fit ​​direction. The protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​section is greater than the protrusion height of the second snap-fit ​​section. When the first type of protrusion is snapped into place, the second snap-fit ​​section enters the first type of cavity before the first snap-fit ​​section.

[0009] Beneficial effect: The two locking segments with different protrusion heights of the first type of protrusion facilitate the guidance of the longer first type of protrusion into the first type of concave cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, the protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​segment is the same as the protrusion height of the second type of protrusion.

[0011] Beneficial effect: It facilitates the formation of corresponding snap-fit ​​cavities on the outer fixing shell, avoiding the need to increase the size of the outer fixing shell.

[0012] Furthermore, both the first and second locking sections are provided with a protrusion guide surface to guide the first type of protrusion into the first type of concave cavity.

[0013] Beneficial effects: Reduces the resistance when the snap-fit ​​protrusion enters the snap-fit ​​cavity, making snap-fit ​​operation easier.

[0014] Furthermore, the outer fixed shell is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the terminal module. The first type of cavity includes a snap-fit ​​hole and a snap-fit ​​groove provided on the side wall of the mounting groove. The snap-fit ​​hole is a through hole structure, and the snap-fit ​​hole is for the first snap-fit ​​segment to snap into, and the snap-fit ​​groove is for the second snap-fit ​​segment to snap into.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The snap-fit ​​hole makes it easy to observe whether the snap-fit ​​is in place, and the snap-fit ​​groove prevents the opening from being too large, which would result in insufficient strength at the opening.

[0016] Furthermore, a second snap-fit ​​hole is provided on the side wall of the mounting groove, the second snap-fit ​​hole forming a second type of cavity, and the second snap-fit ​​hole is arranged side by side with the snap-fit ​​hole portion.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The snap-fit ​​hole makes it easy to determine whether the second type of protrusion is snapped in place, and it also facilitates molding.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer fixing shell has mounting slots for installing each terminal module, and the corresponding snap-fit ​​cavities for each terminal module are all set on the side wall of the mounting slot.

[0019] Beneficial effects: The mounting slot facilitates the limiting of the terminal module, which helps to ensure a secure snap-fit ​​connection.

[0020] Furthermore, the mounting groove has a housing guide surface on the groove sidewall with a snap-fit ​​cavity at the groove opening edge, and the housing guide surface is used to guide the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity.

[0021] Beneficial effect: The outer shell guide surface facilitates the smooth entry of the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity.

[0022] Furthermore, the groove opening of the mounting slot is provided with an outward flange, and the outer casing guide surface is set on the outward flange.

[0023] Beneficial effect: The outer shell guide surface is set by using the outward-curved edge, which helps to ensure the strength of the groove edge and avoid damage. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the connector of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the main components of the connector; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial structural diagram of the snap-fit ​​protrusion in the middle; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the terminal module in the diagram; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the common-site structure in the diagram; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Front view of the grounding spring in the middle; Figure 7 for Figure 5 Side view of the grounding spring in the middle; Figure 8 for Figure 5A schematic diagram of the conductive shell in the diagram; Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the partial structure at point A; Figure 10 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the common-site structure in the middle; Figure 11 for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the local grounding spring assembly structure; Figure 12 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the terminal module and the common ground structure; Figure 13 for Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the partial grounding claw installation structure at point B; Figure 14 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the terminal structure.

[0025] In the diagram: 200, bending area at the root of the bullet piece; 1, terminal module; 11, terminal; 111, end of the bullet piece; 112, end of the fisheye terminal; 12, shielding plate; 122, grounding claw; 13, insulator; 131, insertion protrusion; 132, first type protrusion; 1321, first snap-fit ​​section; 1322, second snap-fit ​​section; 133, second type protrusion; 2, common ground structure; 21, conductive shell; 211, terminal clearance hole; 212, contact groove; 213, assembly groove; 214, clearance hole; 22, grounding spring piece; 221, forced mounting protrusion; 222, insertion contact part; 3, outer fixing shell; 31, mounting groove; 32, first type cavity; 33, second type cavity; 4, fixing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiment 1 of the connector of the present invention: In this embodiment, two types of terminal modules are formed based on the terminal misalignment design of adjacent end sub-modules of the connector. The snap-fit ​​protrusions on the insulator of the terminal module are set into two different types of protrusions. One terminal module is set with a first type of protrusion, and the other terminal module is set with a second type of protrusion. Correspondingly, the snap-fit ​​cavities on the outer fixing shell are divided into first type cavities and second type cavities. In this way, when assembling the terminal modules, the corresponding terminal modules can be selected by visually judging the different types of snap-fit ​​protrusions. Moreover, different types of snap-fit ​​protrusions have different corresponding matching snap-fit ​​cavities. The compatibility between the snap-fit ​​protrusions and snap-fit ​​cavities of the terminal modules can be used to determine whether they are misassembled, making it less likely for the terminal modules to be misassembled during assembly and helping to ensure assembly efficiency.

[0027] like Figure 1-14As shown, the connector is an orthogonal bendable female connector, which includes several terminal modules 1, a common ground structure 2, an outer fixing shell 3, and a fixing plate 4. The terminal modules 1 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the lower end of each terminal module 1 is fixed to the outer fixing shell 3. The common ground structure 2 is disposed between the terminal modules 1 and the outer fixing shell 3. The upper ends of each terminal module 1 are fixed together by the fixing plate 4. The insertion and removal direction of this connector and the adapter connector is the up-down direction.

[0028] Terminal module 1 includes several differential pairs, an insulator 13, and a shielding plate 12. Each differential pair includes two terminals 11 arranged in pairs. Terminal 11 is a signal terminal. Terminal 11 and the insulator 13 are fixed together by injection molding. Terminal 11 has a spring-loaded end 111 extending downward from the insulator 13 and a fisheye end 112 extending forward from the insulator 13. The spring-loaded end 111 is a signal spring for inserting into the signal pins of the adapter connector. The fisheye end 112 has a fisheye structure. The end of the connector with the signal spring is the mating end, and the end with the fisheye is the crimping end. The thickness direction of the insulator 13 of terminal module 1 is left-right. Each terminal module 1 has a shielding plate 12 on both the left and right sides of the insulator 13.

[0029] The outer fixed housing 3 is provided with a mounting groove 31, the groove opening of which faces upwards and is open from left to right. The mounting groove 31 has two opposite side walls. The insulators of each terminal module are snapped and fixed in the mounting groove 31.

[0030] The connector's terminal modules are divided into two types: Type A and Type B. Type A and Type B terminal modules are arranged on the outer housing in an ABABAB pattern. Adjacent end sub-modules are one Type A and the other Type B. The terminals of adjacent Terminal Modules A and B are staggered, meaning the differential pairs of Terminal Module A and Terminal Module B are arranged left-right offsets.

[0031] Each terminal module has a snap-fit ​​protrusion on its insulator. The snap-fit ​​protrusion is located on the front side of the lower part of the insulator and below the fisheye end of the terminal. One of the snap-fit ​​protrusions of adjacent terminal modules is a first-type protrusion 132, and the other is a second-type protrusion 133. The first-type protrusion 132 and the second-type protrusion 133 are two different shapes and sizes of protrusions. The outer fixing shell has snap-fit ​​cavities for the snap-fit ​​protrusions to engage. The snap-fit ​​cavities on the outer fixing shell include a first-type cavity 32 that matches the first-type protrusion 132 and a second-type cavity 33 that matches the second-type protrusion 133. Correspondingly, the first-type cavity 32 and the second-type cavity 33 are different in size, so that the snap-fit ​​structure between the type A terminal module, the type B terminal module and the outer fixing shell is different, which serves to prevent incorrect installation.

[0032] The snap-fit ​​protrusion engages with the snap-fit ​​cavity in a snap-fit ​​direction, which is from top to bottom. The length of the first type protrusion 132 in the vertical direction is greater than the length of the second type protrusion 133 in the vertical direction. The first type protrusion 132 includes a first snap-fit ​​section 1321 and a second snap-fit ​​section 1322 arranged in the vertical direction. The protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​section 1321 is greater than the protrusion height of the second snap-fit ​​section 1322. The second snap-fit ​​section 1322 is located below the first snap-fit ​​section 1321. When the first type protrusion 132 engages, the second snap-fit ​​section 1322 enters the first type cavity 32 before the first snap-fit ​​section 1321. Both the first locking segment 1321 and the second locking segment 1322 are wedge-shaped structures. Both the first locking segment 1321 and the second locking segment 1322 have a forward-facing plane and a slope on the lower side of the plane. The slope of the first locking segment 1321 is in contact with the plane of the second locking segment 1322, and the slope of the second locking segment 1322 is in contact with the front side of the insulator. The slopes on the first locking segment 1321 and the second locking segment 1322 constitute a protrusion guide surface for guiding the first type protrusion 132 into the first type cavity 32, so that the longer first type protrusion 132 can smoothly enter the first type cavity 32.

[0033] The second type of protrusion 133 has a forward-facing flat surface, a central inclined surface located below the flat surface, and a lower inclined surface located below the central inclined surface. The forward-facing flat surface and the central inclined surface of the second type of protrusion 133 are flush with the forward-facing flat surface and the inclined surface of the first snap-fit ​​section 1321 in the left-right direction, so that the protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​section 1321 is the same as the protrusion height of the second type of protrusion 133. The central inclined surface of the second type of protrusion 133 is connected to the lower inclined surface, and the lower inclined surface is connected to the front side surface of the insulator. The arrangement of the central inclined surface and the lower inclined surface facilitates the smooth entry of the second type of protrusion 133 into the second type of recess 33.

[0034] The first type of cavity 32 includes a snap-fit ​​hole and a snap-fit ​​groove disposed on the front side wall of the mounting groove 31. The snap-fit ​​hole is a through-hole structure that extends from front to back and is rectangular. The snap-fit ​​groove is located below the snap-fit ​​hole. The snap-fit ​​hole is for the first snap-fit ​​segment 1321 to snap into, and the snap-fit ​​groove is for the second snap-fit ​​segment 1322 to snap into. The opening of the snap-fit ​​groove faces rearward and communicates with the snap-fit ​​hole. The shape of the snap-fit ​​groove is adapted to the shape of the second snap-fit ​​segment 1322. After the first type of protrusion 132 is snapped into the first type of cavity 32, the first snap-fit ​​segment 1321 of the first type of protrusion 132 enters the snap-fit ​​hole. The upper side of the first type of protrusion 132 and the upper side wall of the snap-fit ​​hole form a stop fit in the upward direction.

[0035] The second type of recess 33 is a second snap-fit ​​hole provided on the front side wall of the mounting groove 31. The second snap-fit ​​hole and the snap-fit ​​hole portion are arranged side by side. Both the second snap-fit ​​hole and the snap-fit ​​hole portion are rectangular holes. After the second type of protrusion 133 is snapped into the second type of recess 33, the upper side of the second type of protrusion 133 and the upper side wall of the second snap-fit ​​hole form a stop fit in the upward direction.

[0036] An outwardly turned edge is provided on the front side wall of the mounting groove 31 at the groove opening edge. A housing guide surface is provided on the outwardly turned edge. The housing guide surface is an inclined surface facing upward. The housing guide surface is used to guide the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity to facilitate the snap-fit ​​operation.

[0037] The common ground structure 2 refers to the common ground structure of the connector mating end. The common ground structure 2 includes a conductive shell 21 and several grounding springs 22. The grounding springs 22 are separately formed parts. The thickness direction of the grounding springs 22 is the front-to-back direction. The grounding springs 22 include a spring body and a widened part connected to the spring body. The widened part is connected to the upper end of the spring body. The lower end of the spring body has a backward-bent portion. The bent portion has a mating contact portion 222 for contacting the grounding pin of the adapter connector. The mating contact portion 222 constitutes a contact portion for conductive contact with the adapter contact. The width direction of the grounding spring 22 is left and right. The width of the widened part of the grounding spring 22 is greater than the width of the spring body. The spring body is connected to the middle part of the widened part in the width direction. The widened part has a strong mounting protrusion 221 on both sides in the width direction. The strong mounting protrusion 221 is a rearward protruding bulge structure. The grounding spring 22 is forcibly fixed on the conductive shell 21 by the strong mounting protrusion 221.

[0038] The conductive shell 21 is provided with a spring clip mounting cavity, which is a through cavity running vertically. Each spring clip mounting cavity corresponds one-to-one with a grounding spring clip 22. The upper side of the conductive shell 21 forms the first side facing the shielding plate 12 of the terminal module 1, and the lower side forms the second side facing away from the shielding plate 12. The spring clip mounting cavity includes a through-hole 214 and an assembly groove 213 located near the upper opening of the through-hole 214. The through-hole 214 is a rectangular hole, its size allowing the main body of the grounding spring clip 22 to pass through the conductive shell 21 from top to bottom, avoiding the bent portion at the insertion contact 222 position of the grounding spring clip 22, so that the lower end of the grounding spring clip 22 extends downwards outside the conductive shell 21. The width of the clearance hole 214 is smaller than the width of the widened portion of the grounding spring 22. The left and right side walls of the clearance hole 214 near the upper opening are respectively provided with mounting grooves 213. The groove openings of the mounting grooves 213 face upwards. The portions of the widened portion of the grounding spring 22 that are wider than the main body of the spring are respectively inserted into the two mounting grooves 213. The corresponding forced mounting protrusions 221 are interference-fitted with the mounting grooves 213. The widened portion of the grounding spring 22 and the bottom of the mounting groove 213 form a stop fit. The bottom surface of the mounting groove 213 constitutes a stop part that forms a stop fit with the grounding spring 22 in the spring mounting cavity. The forced mounting protrusions 221 constitute a fixing part that fixes the grounding spring 22 in the spring mounting cavity. The groove opening of the mounting groove 213 and the upper opening of the clearance hole 214 together constitute the entry point of the spring mounting cavity for the grounding spring to pass through from the first side. The grounding spring 22 and the conductive shell 21 form a blocking engagement in the downward direction, which prevents the grounding spring 22 from being pulled out when the matching grounding pin is pulled out relative to the grounding spring 22, thus making the grounding spring 22 more securely fixed.

[0039] The conductive housing 21 is also provided with terminal clearance holes 211. The terminal clearance holes 211 are through holes from top to bottom, allowing the corresponding differential pairs of the terminal module 1 to pass through the conductive housing 21 from top to bottom, so that the signal spring of the terminal 11 corresponds to the grounding spring 22 of the common ground structure 2, so that the signal pins and grounding pins of the adapter connector can be inserted. Each terminal clearance hole 211 has spring mounting cavities on the left and right sides, and the terminal clearance holes are connected to the adjacent mounting grooves 213 of the spring mounting cavities. In this embodiment, the junction of the wiring body of terminal 11 and the end bullet piece 111 is a bent structure so that the wiring body and the end bullet piece 111 are arranged perpendicularly. The area where the bend is located is the bend area 200 at the root of the end bullet piece. The insulator 13 of terminal module 1 has an insertion protrusion 131 located on the periphery of the bend structure. The insertion protrusion 131 protrudes downward from the main body of the insulator 13. When the terminal module 1 and the conductive shell 21 are installed, the insertion protrusion 131 can be inserted into the corresponding terminal clearance hole 211. The bend of the corresponding terminal 11 is also located in the terminal clearance hole 211. By using the insertion protrusion 131 of the insulator 13 to insert into the terminal clearance hole 211, it is beneficial to the insulation between the terminal 11 of terminal module 1 and the conductive shell 21. The conductive shell 21 is used to shield the bend at the root of the end bullet piece 111, shielding the electromagnetic interference generated by the signal transmission in the bend area and improving the shielding effect.

[0040] The conductive shell 21 is also provided with a contact groove 212, with the groove opening facing upwards. The shielding plate 12 is provided with a downward protruding grounding claw 122, the root of which is bent toward the insulator 13. When the terminal module 1 is installed on the conductive shell 21, the grounding claw 122 of the corresponding shielding plate 12 extends into the contact groove 212, and the left and right sides of the corresponding grounding claw 122 contact the left and right side walls of the contact groove 212 respectively. The groove wall of the contact groove 212 constitutes the shielding conductive part of the conductive shell 21 that makes conductive contact with the shielding plate 12 of the terminal module 1 of the connector. Thus, the conductive shell 21 is used to make the corresponding shielding plates 12 of each terminal module 1 mutually conductive, maintaining the continuity of the return flow between the conductive shell 21 and the shielding plate 12, and improving the shielding effect. The contact groove 212 corresponds one-to-one with the spring plate mounting cavity. The contact groove 212 is located behind the avoidance hole 214 and is connected to the corresponding avoidance hole 214. This allows the shielding plate 12 of the terminal module 1 to be positioned above the grounding spring plate 22, thereby limiting the grounding spring plate 22.

[0041] The position, number, and size of the terminal clearance holes 211 on the conductive shell 21, as well as the number and position of the grounding springs 22, are determined according to the arrangement of each terminal module 1. That is, the setting of the conductive shell 21 and the grounding springs 22 is designed to match the installation requirements of the terminal module 1. For each terminal module 1 of the connector in this embodiment, the differential pairs of the same terminal module 1 are corresponding one after the other. Therefore, the differential pairs of each terminal module 1 correspond to a row of terminal clearance holes 211 arranged at intervals on the conductive shell 21. Thus, several terminal modules 1 arranged side by side correspond to several rows of terminal clearance holes 211 distributed in the left and right directions. Since the differential pairs of adjacent end sub-modules 1 are staggered in this embodiment, the adjacent two rows of terminal clearance holes 211 on the conductive shell 21 are also staggered. Each terminal clearance hole 211 has a spring plate mounting cavity on both the left and right sides. The spring plate mounting cavity and the contact groove 212 are arranged in a row. The grounding claws 122 of the two back shields 12 of adjacent end sub-modules 1 are respectively inserted into the two rows of staggered contact grooves 212. The grounding claws 122 of the two opposite shields 12 of adjacent end sub-modules 1 can avoid each other by using their corresponding terminal clearance holes 211. This facilitates the installation of terminal modules 1 with the same specifications.

[0042] The openings of the terminal clearance hole 211, the contact groove 212, and the assembly groove 213 are all chamfered to facilitate the insertion of the corresponding parts of the terminal module 1. The front and rear sides of the conductive shell 21 are provided with limiting protrusions. The front and rear sidewalls of the mounting groove of the outer fixing shell 3 are respectively provided with vertically extending limiting grooves for the limiting protrusions to extend into. The first type cavity and the second type cavity are both located at the bottom of the limiting grooves. The bottom of the mounting groove of the outer fixing shell 3 is provided with a portion of the grounding spring 22 protruding from the conductive shell 21 and a receiving hole for the signal spring. After the grounding spring 22 is installed on the conductive shell 21, it is then installed together on the outer fixing shell 3. The outer fixing shell 3, together with each terminal module 1 and the fixing piece 4, ensures a stable assembly of the common ground structure 2. By utilizing the grounding springs 22 and conductive shells 21 of the common ground structure 2 to conduct electricity with the shielding plates 12 of each terminal module 1, the grounding springs 22 are provided to meet the requirements of the grounding springs 22, and the electromagnetic interference at the connector mating end is reduced, thereby improving signal transmission performance.

[0043] Embodiment 2 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different form of snap-fit ​​protrusion arrangement than Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the length of the first type of protrusion in Embodiment 1 is greater than the length of the second type of protrusion. In this embodiment, the width of the first type of protrusion is greater than the width of the second type of protrusion, and the width direction is perpendicular to the snap-fit ​​direction of the snap-fit ​​protrusion.

[0044] Embodiment 3 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different form of snap-fit ​​protrusion arrangement than Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the first type of protrusion in Embodiment 1 includes a first snap-fit ​​segment and a second snap-fit ​​segment arranged along the snap-fit ​​direction, and the protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​segment is greater than the protrusion height of the second snap-fit ​​segment. In this embodiment, the protrusion height of the upper end of the first type of protrusion is the same as the protrusion height of the lower end.

[0045] Embodiment 4 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different snap-fit ​​protrusion configuration than Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that in Embodiment 1, the protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​segment is the same as the protrusion height of the second type of protrusion. However, in this embodiment, the protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​segment is different from the protrusion height of the second type of protrusion.

[0046] Embodiment 5 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different form of snap-fit ​​protrusion arrangement than Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that, in Embodiment 1, both the first and second snap-fit ​​segments are provided with protrusion guide surfaces to guide the first type of protrusion into the first type of recess. However, in this embodiment, neither the first nor the second snap-fit ​​segment is provided with a protrusion guide surface.

[0047] Embodiment 6 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a second type of recessed cavity configuration different from that of Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the second snap-fit ​​hole in Embodiment 1 constitutes the second type of recessed cavity. In this embodiment, the second type of recessed cavity is a slot with the opening facing backward and having a bottom.

[0048] Embodiment 7 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different mounting slot configuration than Embodiment 1. The difference lies in that, in Embodiment 1, the mounting slot has a housing guide surface on the side wall of the slot with a snap-fit ​​cavity at the edge of the slot opening, which guides the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity. In this embodiment, however, there is no housing guide surface at the edge of the mounting slot opening.

[0049] Embodiment 8 of the connector in this invention: This embodiment provides a different mounting slot configuration than Embodiment 1. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the mounting slot in Embodiment 1 has an outwardly flared edge along its opening, and the outer casing guide surface is located on the outwardly flared edge. In this embodiment, however, the mounting slot does not have an outwardly flared edge along its opening.

[0050] 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 connector, comprising an outer fixing shell and at least two terminal modules, each terminal module comprising an insulator and terminals, the insulator having a snap-fit ​​protrusion, the outer fixing shell having a snap-fit ​​recess for the snap-fit ​​protrusion to engage, the terminals of adjacent end sub-modules being staggered, characterized in that... One of the adjacent end sub-modules has a first type of snap-fit ​​protrusion and the other has a second type of snap-fit ​​protrusion. The first type of protrusion and the second type of protrusion are two different types of protrusions with different shapes and / or sizes. The snap-fit ​​cavity on the outer fixing shell includes a first type of cavity that matches the first type of protrusion and a second type of cavity that matches the second type of protrusion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it snaps into place. The protrusion is engaged into the engagement cavity along the engagement direction, and the length of the first type of protrusion along the engagement direction is greater than the length of the second type of protrusion along the engagement direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first type of protrusion includes a first snap-fit ​​section and a second snap-fit ​​section arranged along the snap-fit ​​direction. The protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​section is greater than the protrusion height of the second snap-fit ​​section. When the first type of protrusion is snapped into place, the second snap-fit ​​section enters the first type of cavity before the first snap-fit ​​section.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The protrusion height of the first snap-fit ​​section is the same as the protrusion height of the second type of protrusion.

5. The connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Both the first and second locking sections are provided with a protrusion guide surface to guide the first type of protrusion into the first type of concave cavity.

6. The connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The outer fixed shell is provided with a mounting groove for mounting terminal modules. The first type of cavity includes a snap-fit ​​hole and a snap-fit ​​groove provided on the side wall of the mounting groove. The snap-fit ​​hole is a through hole structure, which is used for the first snap-fit ​​segment to snap into, and the snap-fit ​​groove is used for the second snap-fit ​​segment to snap into.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting slot has a second snap-fit ​​hole on its side wall, which forms a second type of cavity. The second snap-fit ​​hole is arranged side by side with the snap-fit ​​hole.

8. The connector according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, The outer fixed housing has mounting slots for installing each terminal module, and the corresponding snap-fit ​​cavities for each terminal module are all located on the side wall of the mounting slot.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The mounting groove has a housing guide surface on the groove side wall with a snap-fit ​​cavity at the groove opening edge. The housing guide surface is used to guide the snap-fit ​​protrusion into the snap-fit ​​cavity.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, The mounting slot has an outward-flared edge, and the outer casing guide surface is set on the outward-flared edge.

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