Electric connector, electric connector combination and terminal module

Abstract

The invention provides an electric connector, an electric connector combination and a terminal module. The electric connector comprises an insulating seat body and a plurality of terminal modules. The insulating base body is provided with a plurality of spaced side walls and a plurality of partition plates arranged between every two adjacent side walls. Every two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat body are matched with the plurality of partition plates to form a plurality of accommodating grooves. One of the side walls corresponding to each accommodating groove is provided with a first holding part; each terminal module is installed in the corresponding containing groove and comprises a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame which is integrally formed and partially wraps the differential signal terminal pair. The insulating frame is provided with a second holding part held on the first holding part. Therefore, the signal integrity efficiency can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric connector, and in particular to an electric connector, an electric connector assembly and a terminal module for high-speed signal transmission. Background Art

[0002] As the signal transmission speed of electrical connectors becomes faster and faster, how to maintain good signal integrity performance during high-speed signal transmission has become an important issue.

[0003] For example, in the electrical connector and electrical connector assembly disclosed in Chinese patent authorization announcement number CN108631094B, a plurality of retaining protrusions are formed on both sides of the fixed section of each terminal to interfere with the insulating seat. The retaining protrusions cause the terminal width to vary, which easily causes uneven terminal impedance and affects signal integrity (SI) performance. In addition, after each terminal is inserted into the corresponding terminal slot, the elastic contact portion of the terminal is easily tilted, which affects the signal integrity performance. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0005] Therefore, the electrical connector of the present invention includes an insulating base and a plurality of terminal modules.

[0006] The insulating seat has a plurality of spaced-apart side walls and a plurality of partitions disposed between each two adjacent side walls. Each two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat cooperate with the plurality of partitions to form a plurality of receiving grooves. One of the side walls corresponding to each receiving groove is provided with at least one first retaining portion. Each of the terminal modules is installed in the corresponding receiving groove and includes a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair. The insulating frame has at least one second retaining portion retained by the first retaining portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of receiving grooves are arranged into a plurality of rows, and the corresponding plurality of receiving grooves of every two adjacent rows are staggeredly formed on the insulating seat, so that the corresponding plurality of terminal modules installed in the corresponding plurality of receiving grooves of every two adjacent rows are staggeredly arranged on the insulating seat.

[0008] In some embodiments, the insulating frame partially covers the differential signal terminal pair by insert molding.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the terminal modules further includes a ground terminal located outside the differential signal terminal pair, and the insulating frame partially covers the ground terminal by insert molding.

[0010] In some embodiments, every two adjacent receiving grooves are separated by a corresponding partition, so that a plurality of the receiving grooves and a plurality of the partitions are alternately arranged.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first retaining portion is one of a convex rib and a concave groove, and the second retaining portion is the other of the convex rib and the concave groove engaged with the first retaining portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first retaining portion is a rib extending from one of the side walls corresponding to the receiving groove toward the receiving groove, the insulating frame has a side surface, and the second retaining portion is a groove recessed inward from the side surface for the rib to engage.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first retaining portion is a groove connected to the receiving groove, the insulating frame has a side surface, and the second retaining portion is a rib protruding from the side surface and engaging with the groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, one of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with two first retaining portions, and the insulating frame has two second retaining portions for respectively retaining the two first retaining portions.

[0015] In some embodiments, the differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of the terminal modules also includes two grounding terminals respectively located on the outside of the differential signal terminal pair, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, and each of the second retaining portions is correspondingly located between the corresponding signal terminal and the corresponding grounding terminal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the insulating frame has a side surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the side surface and interfering with the corresponding side wall, and the second retaining portion is disposed on the side surface.

[0017] In some embodiments, the insulating frame has a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the side surface and interfering with the corresponding side walls.

[0018] In some embodiments, the differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of the terminal modules also includes a ground terminal located outside the differential signal terminal pair, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the ground terminal, and the plurality of protrusions correspond to the two signal terminals and the ground terminal respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments, the insulating frame has a top, and the insulating base is provided with a stopping portion in each of the receiving grooves for stopping the top of the insulating frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, the differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of which has a resilient contact portion and a tail portion extending out of the insulating frame.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the terminal modules also includes two grounding terminals respectively located on the outside of the differential signal terminal pair, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, each of the grounding terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion extending out of the insulating frame, each of the signal terminals and each of the elastic contact portions of the grounding terminals each has a contact section, and a guide head section bent and extended from one end of the contact section, and the guide head section is in an arc shape.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the signal terminals and each of the ground terminals is formed with a through hole at a location covered by the insulating frame, and the insulating frame has a plurality of retaining inserts, each of which is embedded in and retained in a corresponding through hole.

[0023] In some embodiments, every two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat and the multiple partitions cooperate to form a plurality of receiving grooves, the multiple receiving grooves and the multiple receiving grooves are arranged alternately, and the electrical connector also includes a plurality of grounding terminals, each of which is installed in the corresponding receiving groove.

[0024] In some embodiments, each of the first grounding terminals has a main body portion and a retaining elastic arm obliquely extending from the middle of the main body portion, and the retaining elastic arm is used to interfere with the insulating seat.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0026] Therefore, the electrical connector assembly of the present invention comprises two electrical connectors as described above, and the two electrical connectors have the same structure and are connected to each other.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal module that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0028] Therefore, the terminal module of the present invention includes a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame.

[0029] The differential signal terminal pair has two signal terminals. The insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two signal terminals, and the insulating frame has a top and a bottom. Each of the signal terminals has a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from one end of the main body to the top, and a tail portion extending from the bottom from one end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion. The main body has a width expansion section extending toward the tail portion and at least protruding from the bottom.

[0030] In some embodiments, a portion of the width-enlarged section is covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

[0031] In some embodiments, the width-enlarged section has a main body and a first side wing protruding from one side of the main body, and a portion of the main body and the first side wing are respectively covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first side wing portions of the two signal terminals are spaced apart and adjacent to each other, and the first side wing portion has a first inclined surface facing upward, and the first inclined surface is connected to the main body and covered by the insulating frame.

[0033] In some embodiments, the width-enlarged section further has a second side wing portion protruding from a side of the main body opposite to the first side wing portion, a portion of the second side wing portion is covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second wing portion has a second inclined surface facing upward, and the second inclined surface is connected to the main body portion and is covered by the insulating frame.

[0035] In some embodiments, the main body also has a connecting section connected between the elastic contact portion and the width expansion section and covered by the insulating frame, and the width of the width expansion section in a width direction of the signal terminal is greater than the width of the connecting section in the width direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the insulating frame further has two protrusions protruding from the top, and the two protrusions respectively correspond to the elastic contact portions of the two signal terminals.

[0037] In some embodiments, two grounding terminals are further included, respectively located outside the two signal terminals, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, each of the grounding terminals has a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from the top at one end of the main body, and a tail portion extending from the bottom at one end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion, and the main body of each grounding terminal has a width-enlarged section extending toward the tail portion and at least protruding from the bottom.

[0038] In some embodiments, the bottom of the insulating frame is recessed toward the top to form a separation groove, and the separation groove is located between the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals and separates the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bottom of the insulating frame is recessed toward the top to form a separation groove, the separation groove is located between the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals and separates the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals, and the width expansion section of each signal terminal has an exposed portion exposed outside the separation groove.

[0040] Therefore, the electrical connector of the present invention includes an insulating base and a plurality of terminal modules.

[0041] The insulating seat has a side wall. A plurality of terminal modules are staggeredly arranged on both sides of the side wall, each of the terminal modules has a plurality of terminals and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the plurality of terminals, each of the terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame, the elastic contact portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall are arranged in opposite directions and each bends and extends in a direction close to the side wall, and the tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall are bent and extended in the same direction.

[0042] In some embodiments, the plurality of terminals of each terminal module are divided into two signal terminals and two ground terminals. The two signal terminals are adjacent to each other and form a differential signal terminal pair. The two ground terminals are respectively located outside the two signal terminals.

[0043] In some embodiments, one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the side wall, and each signal terminal of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the side wall.

[0044] In some embodiments, each of the terminal modules is a differential signal terminal module, each of the plurality of terminals is a signal terminal, and the plurality of terminals are spaced apart and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair.

[0045] Therefore, the electrical connector assembly of the present invention includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector.

[0046] The first electrical connector includes an insulating seat and multiple terminal modules, the insulating seat has a side wall, the multiple terminal modules are staggered on both sides of the side wall, each of the terminal modules has multiple terminals, and an insulating frame that is integrally formed and partially covers the multiple terminals, each of the terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame, the multiple elastic contact portions of the multiple terminals of the corresponding two or more terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall are arranged in opposite directions and each is bent and extended in a direction close to the side wall, and the tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two or more terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall are bent and extended in the same direction. The second electrical connector is connected to the first electrical connector and includes an insulating seat and a plurality of terminal modules. The insulating seat is formed with a slot for the side wall to be inserted. The plurality of terminal modules are staggered on both sides of the slot. Each of the terminal modules has a plurality of terminals and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame. The elastic contact portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the slot are arranged in opposite directions and each is bent and extended in a direction away from the slot for connecting with the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the side wall. The tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the slot are bent and extended in the same direction.

[0047] In some embodiments, the plurality of terminals of each terminal module are divided into two signal terminals and two ground terminals. The two signal terminals are adjacent to each other and form a differential signal terminal pair. The two ground terminals are respectively located outside the two signal terminals.

[0048] In some embodiments, one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the side wall, one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the slot corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the slot, each of the signal terminals of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the side wall, and each of the signal terminals of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the slot corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the slot.

[0049] In some embodiments, each of the terminal modules is a differential signal terminal module, each of the plurality of terminals is a signal terminal, and the plurality of terminals are spaced apart and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair.

[0050] Therefore, the electrical connector of the present invention includes an insulating base, at least one grounding terminal module and at least one differential signal terminal module.

[0051] The grounding terminal module comprises at least three grounding terminals staggeredly arranged on the insulating seat. The differential signal terminal module is arranged on the insulating seat and located between at least three grounding terminals. The differential signal terminal module comprises a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair and fixed on the insulating seat.

[0052] In some embodiments, the insulating base is formed with a receiving groove located between at least three of the ground terminals and for installing the differential signal terminal module.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least three grounding terminals of the grounding terminal module are arranged in a triangle.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least three of the grounding terminals are staggered into two substantially parallel columns, two of the at least three grounding terminals are arranged in one of the columns and the remaining one is arranged in the other column, and the differential signal terminal module is located between the corresponding two grounding terminals arranged in one of the columns and faces the corresponding grounding terminal arranged in the other column.

[0055] In some embodiments, the differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of which has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed outside the insulating frame.

[0056] In some embodiments, each of the ground terminals has a retaining spring arm that interferes with the insulating base.

[0057] In some embodiments, the insulating seat has a side wall, and the electrical connector includes two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules. The two grounding terminal modules are arranged in an opposite and staggered manner on the side wall of the insulating seat, and the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module are staggered on both sides of the side wall of the insulating seat. The two grounding terminal modules share two grounding terminals arranged obliquely, and the two differential signal terminal modules are arranged in an opposite and staggered manner on the side wall of the insulating seat. Each of the differential signal terminal modules is located between the two grounding terminals corresponding to the grounding terminal module, and each of the grounding terminal modules surrounds the corresponding differential signal terminal module through the two shared grounding terminals and a non-shared grounding terminal.

[0058] In some embodiments, the ground terminal module includes four ground terminals, which are arranged in a ring shape and surround the differential signal terminal module, and any three of the four ground terminals are staggered on the insulating base and arranged in a triangle.

[0059] In some embodiments, the four grounding terminals are arranged into three basically parallel columns, two of the four grounding terminals are arranged in one of the columns and the remaining two are respectively arranged in the remaining two columns, in a first direction parallel to each of the columns, the differential signal terminal module is located between the corresponding two grounding terminals arranged in one of the columns, and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the differential signal terminal module is located between the remaining two grounding terminals respectively arranged in the remaining two columns.

[0060] In some embodiments, the electrical connector includes two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules, the two grounding terminal modules are adjacent in the first direction or the second direction and share a grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal of each grounding terminal module surrounds the corresponding differential signal terminal module.

[0061] In some embodiments, the electrical connector includes two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules, the two grounding terminal modules are adjacent to each other in an oblique direction inclined to the first direction and share two grounding terminals, and the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module surround the corresponding differential signal terminal module.

[0062] Therefore, the electrical connector of the present invention includes an insulating base and a plurality of terminal modules.

[0063] The insulating seat has a plurality of spaced-apart side walls, a plurality of receiving slots are formed between each two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat, and one of the side walls corresponding to each receiving slot is provided with two recessed portions. Each of the terminal modules includes a differential signal terminal pair, two grounding terminals respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair, and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair and the two grounding terminals, the insulating frame having a top and two protruding portions protruding from both sides of the top, and when each of the terminal modules is installed in the corresponding receiving slot, the two protruding portions are received in the two recessed portions.

[0064] In some embodiments, another of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with at least one first holding portion, and the insulating frame has at least one second holding portion held on the first holding portion.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first retaining portion is one of a convex rib and a concave groove, and the second retaining portion is the other of the convex rib and the concave groove engaged with the first retaining portion.

[0066] In some embodiments, another of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with two first retaining portions, and the insulating frame has two second retaining portions for respectively retaining the two first retaining portions.

[0067] In some embodiments, the differential signal terminal pair has two signal terminals, and the insulating frame further has two protrusions protruding from the top, the two protrusions respectively correspond to the two signal terminals, and the two protrusions are located between the two protruding portions.

[0068] In some embodiments, the two protrusions correspond to the two ground terminals respectively.

[0069] In some embodiments, the insulating seat further comprises a plurality of partitions disposed between every two adjacent side walls, and every two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat and the plurality of partitions cooperate to form a plurality of receiving grooves.

[0070] Therefore, the terminal module of the present invention includes a differential signal terminal pair, two grounding terminals and an insulating frame.

[0071] The differential signal terminal pair has two signal terminals. The two ground terminals are respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair. The insulating frame partially covers the two signal terminals and the two ground terminals in an integral manner, and the insulating frame has a top and a bottom. Each of the signal terminals and each of the ground terminals has a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from one end of the main body to the top, and a tail portion extending from one end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion to the bottom. The insulating frame also has two protrusions protruding from both sides of the top.

[0072] In some embodiments, the main body has a width-enlarged section extending toward the tail and at least protruding out of the bottom, and at least a portion of the width-enlarged section is covered by the insulating frame.

[0073] In some embodiments, the insulating frame further has two protrusions protruding from the top, the two protrusions respectively correspond to the two signal terminals, and the two protrusions are located between the two protruding portions.

[0074] In some embodiments, the two protrusions correspond to the two ground terminals respectively.

[0075] The present invention has at least the following effects: the insulating frame partially covers the differential signal terminal pair and the plurality of grounding terminals in an integrally formed manner, and the terminal module is fixed in the corresponding receiving groove by the insulating frame, so that the impedance unevenness caused by the width change of the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of grounding terminals can be avoided, and the positions of the plurality of elastic contact parts of the plurality of signal terminals and the plurality of elastic contact parts of the plurality of grounding terminals can be accurately controlled without tilting, thereby effectively improving the signal integrity performance. In addition, the insulating seat body is provided with the first retaining part on the second side wall corresponding to each of the receiving grooves to engage with the corresponding second retaining part of the insulating frame, so that the corresponding terminal module in the receiving groove can be prevented from squeezing the corresponding partition to cause the partition to deform or even crack, and the insulating seat body can be prevented from warping and deforming due to the influence of accumulated stress. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0077] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention, illustrating two electrical connectors docking with each other;

[0078] Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the first embodiment, illustrating the assembly relationship between the plurality of electrical connectors;

[0079] Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment;

[0080] Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment;

[0081] Figure 5 is an incomplete three-dimensional exploded view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment, illustrating an insulating base and the assembly relationship between a plurality of rows of terminals;

[0082] Figure 6 is an incomplete top view of the insulating base body of the first embodiment;

[0083] Figure 7 is an incomplete bottom view of the insulating base body of the first embodiment;

[0084] Figure 8 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

[0085] Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment;

[0086] Fig.10 is an incomplete sectional exploded view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment, illustrating the assembly relationship between the insulating base and a terminal module;

[0087] Fig.11 is a side view of the terminal module of the first embodiment;

[0088] Fig.12 is a three-dimensional diagram of the terminal module of the first embodiment, illustrating the structure of a differential signal terminal pair and two ground terminals, and an insulating frame is omitted in the figure;

[0089] Fig.13 is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0090] Fig.14 is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV line in FIG.

[0091] Fig.15 is a fragmentary bottom view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment;

[0092] Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment, illustrating that a guide segment of a signal terminal contacts a corresponding guide segment of a signal terminal;

[0093] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment, illustrating that a guide segment of a ground terminal contacts a corresponding guide segment of a ground terminal;

[0094] Fig.18 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

[0095] Fig.19 is along Fig.11 A cross-sectional view taken along the XIX-XIX line in FIG.

[0096] Fig. 20 is a fragmentary bottom view of the electrical connector of the first embodiment;

[0097] Fig.21 is an incomplete exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention;

[0098] Fig. 22 is a fragmentary top view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment;

[0099] Fig.23 is an incomplete bottom view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment;

[0100] Fig.24 is an incomplete three-dimensional view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment;

[0101] Fig.25 is an incomplete three-dimensional exploded view of the electrical connector of the second embodiment;

[0102] Fig.26 is a side view of a differential signal terminal module and two ground terminals of the second embodiment;

[0103] Fig. 27 is along Fig. 22 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVII-XXVII in FIG.

[0104] Fig.28 is along Fig. 22 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG.

[0105] Fig.29 yes Fig. 22 A partial enlarged view of;

[0106] Fig.30 yes Fig. 22 A partial enlarged view of;

[0107] Fig.31 is an incomplete three-dimensional view of the electrical connector of the third embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention;

[0108] Fig.32 yes Fig.31 an exploded perspective view of

[0109] Fig.33 is along Fig.31 A cross-sectional view taken along line XXXIII-XXXIII in FIG.

[0110] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0111] 100:Electrical connector

[0112] 1: Insulation seat

[0113] 11: First side

[0114] 12: Second side

[0115] 13: First side wall

[0116] 131: Spacer rib

[0117] 132: Stopper

[0118] 133: concave part

[0119] 14: Second side wall

[0120] 15: Partition

[0121] 16: Slot

[0122] 17: Storage Tank

[0123] 18: First holding part

[0124] 19: Storage tank

[0125] 2: Terminal module

[0126] 200: Differential signal terminal module

[0127] 210: Ground terminal module

[0128] 210': Ground terminal module

[0129] 20: Differential signal terminal pair

[0130] 21: Ground terminal

[0131] 211: Ontology Department

[0132] 212: Elastic contact part

[0133] 213: Tail

[0134] 214:Piercing

[0135] 215: Contact section

[0136] 216: Seeker segment

[0137] 217: Width expansion section

[0138] 218: Holding elastic arm

[0139] 22: Insulation frame

[0140] 220: Separation groove

[0141] 221: Support frame

[0142] 222: Fixing frame

[0143] 223: Top

[0144] 223a: protrusion

[0145] 224: Retaining insert

[0146] 225: Side

[0147] 226: Second holding portion

[0148] 227:convex part

[0149] 228: Bottom

[0150] 229: Bump

[0151] 230: Side

[0152] 23:Signal terminal

[0153] 231: Ontology Department

[0154] 232: Elastic contact portion

[0155] 233: Tail

[0156] 234:Piercing

[0157] 235: Contact segment

[0158] 236: Seeker segment

[0159] 237: Width expansion section

[0160] 238: Connection segment

[0161] 239: Main body

[0162] 240: first wing

[0163] 241: First slope

[0164] 242: Second wing

[0165] 243:Second slope

[0166] 244: Exposed part

[0167] 3:Solder Ball

[0168] T: Terminal row

[0169] W: Width direction

[0170] R: Column

[0171] L: Column

[0172] D1: First direction

[0173] D2: Second direction

[0174] D3: Third direction

[0175] D4: oblique direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0176] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0177] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The first embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention comprises two electrical connectors 100 having the same structure and docking with each other. The two electrical connectors 100 are mezzanine connectors. The two electrical connectors 100 can be divided into a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector docking with the first electrical connector.

[0178] For the convenience of subsequent description, a first direction D1, a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are defined for the electrical connector assembly. The first direction D1 is one of the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, the second direction D2 is the other of the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and the third direction D3 is the up-down direction.

[0179] See also Figures 3 to 8 Each of the electrical connectors 100 includes an insulating body 1 and a plurality of terminal rows T arranged on the insulating body 1. The insulating body 1 has a first side 11, a second side 12, a plurality of first side walls 13 and a plurality of second side walls 14. The first side 11 and the second side 12 are parallel to the first direction D1 and are respectively located at opposite sides of the insulating body 1. The plurality of first side walls 13 are spaced apart from each other along the second direction D2 and are located between the first side 11 and the second side 12. The plurality of second side walls 14 are spaced apart from each other along the second direction D2 and are located between the first side 11 and the second side 12. The plurality of second side walls 14 and the plurality of first side walls 13 are alternately arranged along the second direction D2. The height of each of the second side walls 14 along the third direction D3 is less than the height of each of the first side walls 13 along the third direction D3. The insulating base 1 further has a plurality of partitions 15 disposed between every two adjacent first side walls 13 and the second side walls 14 . The plurality of partitions 15 are arranged at intervals along the first direction D1 .

[0180] The insulating seat body 1 is formed with a plurality of slots 16, and the plurality of slots 16 and the plurality of first side walls 13 are alternately arranged along the second direction D2. Each of the slots 16 is used for inserting the corresponding first side wall 13 of another electrical connector 100. Every two adjacent first side walls 13 of the insulating seat body 1 cooperate with the second side wall 14 and the plurality of partitions 15 to form a plurality of receiving grooves 17. The plurality of receiving grooves 17 of the insulating seat body 1 are arranged in a plurality of rows R, and the plurality of rows R are arranged at intervals along the second direction D2. The corresponding plurality of receiving grooves 17 of each row R are arranged at intervals along the first direction D1 and communicate with the corresponding slots 16. Every two adjacent plurality of receiving grooves 17 along the first direction D1 are separated by the corresponding partition 15, so that the plurality of receiving grooves 17 and the plurality of partitions 15 are alternately arranged along the first direction D1. The second side wall 14 corresponding to each of the receiving grooves 17 is provided with at least one first retaining portion 18. The corresponding receiving grooves 17 of every two adjacent rows R are formed in an alternating manner on the insulating base 1 .

[0181] See also Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Each of the first side walls 13 of the insulating base 1 is provided with a plurality of spacing ribs 131 spaced apart along the first direction D1 in each of the receiving grooves 17 , and each of the spacing ribs 131 has a downwardly facing stopper 132 at the bottom end.

[0182] See also Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 , multiple rows of terminal rows T are arranged at intervals along the second direction D2. Each row of the terminal rows T includes multiple terminal modules 2 arranged at intervals along the first direction D1. Each of the terminal modules 2 is used to be installed in the corresponding receiving groove 17 of the insulating seat 1. The corresponding multiple terminal modules 2 installed in the corresponding multiple receiving grooves 17 of each two adjacent multiple rows R are staggered on the insulating seat 1. Each of the terminal modules 2 includes a differential signal terminal pair 20, two grounding terminals 21 respectively located on the outside of the differential signal terminal pair 20, and an insulating frame 22 integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair 20 and the two grounding terminals 21. The differential signal terminal pair 20 includes two signal terminals 23 arranged at intervals along the first direction D1.

[0183] See also Fig. 9 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.13Each of the signal terminals 23 has a main body 231, an elastic contact portion 232 extending from one end of the main body 231, and a tail portion 233 extending from one end of the main body 231 opposite to the elastic contact portion 232. The main body 231 is formed with a through hole 234 extending along the second direction D2. Fig.12 In the direction shown, the elastic contact portion 232 extends upward from the top of the main body 231, and the tail portion 233 extends downward from the bottom of the main body 231 at a right angle. The elastic contact portion 232 has a contact section 235 connected to the top of the main body 231, and a guide section 236 extending from the top of the contact section 235. The guide section 236 is in an arc shape. The bottom end of the tail portion 233 is used for soldering a solder ball 3.

[0184] See also Fig. 9 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 and Fig.14 The two grounding terminals 21 are respectively located outside the two signal terminals 23. Each of the grounding terminals 21 has a main body 211, an elastic contact portion 212 extending from one end of the main body 211, and a tail portion 213 extending from one end of the main body 211 opposite to the elastic contact portion 212. The main body 211 is formed with a through hole 214 extending along the second direction D2. Fig.12 In the direction shown, the elastic contact portion 212 extends upward from the top of the main body 211, and the tail portion 213 extends downward from the bottom of the main body 211 at a right angle. The elastic contact portion 212 has a contact section 215 connected to the top of the main body 211, and a guide section 216 extending from the top of the contact section 215. The guide section 216 is in an arc shape. The bottom end of the tail portion 213 is used for soldering a solder ball 3.

[0185] See also Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 , the insulating frame 22 is accommodated in the corresponding receiving groove 17. In the present embodiment, the insulating frame 22 covers the portion of the body portion 231 of each signal terminal 23 where the through hole 234 is formed, and the portion of the body portion 211 of each ground terminal 21 where the through hole 214 is formed, by an integral molding method such as insert molding, so that the elastic contact portion 232 and the tail portion 233 of each signal terminal 23 extend out of the upper and lower ends of the insulating frame 22, and the elastic contact portion 212 and the tail portion 213 of each ground terminal 21 extend out of the upper and lower ends of the insulating frame 22.

[0186] The insulating frame 22 has a supporting frame 221 and a retaining frame 222 formed on one side of the supporting frame 221. The height of the supporting frame 221 along the third direction D3 is greater than the height of the retaining frame 222 along the third direction D3. The supporting frame 221 is used to support the body 231 of each signal terminal 23 and the body 211 of each ground terminal 21. The supporting frame 221 has a top 223, and the top 223 is used to stop against a plurality of stoppers 132 of the insulating seat 1 and can be stopped by the plurality of stoppers 132, so as to limit the depth of the insulating frame 22 inserted from bottom to top into the corresponding receiving groove 17.

[0187] The holding frame 222 has a plurality of holding inserts 224 arranged at intervals along the first direction D1, and the plurality of holding inserts 224 are respectively embedded and held in the plurality of through holes 234 of the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of through holes 234 of the plurality of ground terminals 21. During the process of insert molding of the insulating frame 22, the plastic used to mold the insulating frame 22 flows into the plurality of through holes 214, 234 and fills the plurality of through holes 214, 234, so that when the plastic is solidified to form the insulating frame 22, the plurality of holding inserts 224 are respectively embedded and held in the plurality of through holes 214, 234, thereby improving the stability of the insulating frame 22 fixedly combined with the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of ground terminals 21.

[0188] See also Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10The holding frame 222 has a side surface 225 opposite to the supporting frame 221, and at least one second holding portion 226 disposed on the side surface 225 for holding the first holding portion 18. In the present embodiment, the second side wall 14 corresponding to each receiving groove 17 is provided with two first holding portions 18, and the two first holding portions 18 are spaced apart along the first direction D1. The holding frame 222 has two second holding portions 226 for holding the two first holding portions 18, respectively, and each of the second holding portions 226 is correspondingly located between the corresponding signal terminal 23 and the corresponding grounding terminal 21. By holding the two first holding portions 18 respectively by the two second holding portions 226, the stability of the insulating frame 22 held in the corresponding receiving groove 17 can be improved. Specifically, each of the first retaining portions 18 is a convex rib extending from the second side wall 14 toward the receiving groove 17, and each of the second retaining portions 226 is a groove recessed inwardly from the side surface 225 for the convex rib to engage with. It should be noted that in other implementations of the present embodiment, each of the first retaining portions 18 may also be a groove recessed from the second side wall 14 toward away from the receiving groove 17, and each of the second retaining portions 226 may also be a convex rib extending outwardly from the side surface 225 to engage with the groove, and the above-mentioned manner in which the first retaining portion 18 is a convex rib and the second retaining portion 226 is a groove is not limited.

[0189] In addition, the retaining frame body 222 also has at least one protrusion 227 extending outward from the side surface 225 to interfere with the corresponding second side wall 14. Thus, the insulating frame 22 can be prevented from shaking relative to the insulating seat body 1 along the second direction D2, so that the stability of the insulating frame 22 held in the corresponding receiving groove 17 can be further improved. In this embodiment, the retaining frame body 222 has a plurality of protrusions 227 arranged at intervals along the first direction D1 and used to interfere with the corresponding second side wall 14. Specifically, the number of the plurality of protrusions 227 is four and corresponds to the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of ground terminals 21, respectively, so as to ensure the stability of the insulating frame 22 in positioning the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of ground terminals 21 in the receiving groove 17.

[0190] See also Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.15When each of the terminal modules 2 is to be assembled in the corresponding receiving groove 17 of the insulating seat 1, the second retaining portions 226 of the insulating frame 22 are first aligned with the first retaining portions 18, and then the terminal module 2 is moved from bottom to top and inserted into the corresponding receiving groove 17. The elastic contact portion 232 of each of the signal terminals 23 and the elastic contact portion 212 of each of the grounding terminals 21 will first extend between the corresponding plurality of spacer ribs 131. Subsequently, the second retaining portions 226 of the insulating frame 22 will be respectively engaged with the first retaining portions 18, and the convex portions 227 will interfere with the corresponding second side wall 14. When the top portion 223 of the insulating frame 22 abuts against the stop portions 132 and is stopped by the stop portions 132, the terminal module 2 can no longer move upward and is positioned in the corresponding receiving groove 17.

[0191] The differential signal terminal pair 20 and the plurality of grounding terminals 21 are partially covered by the insulating frame 22 in an integrally formed manner such as insert molding, and the terminal module 2 is fixed in the corresponding receiving groove 17 by the insulating frame 22, so that the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of grounding terminals 21 themselves do not need to be provided with retaining protrusions to interfere with the insulating seat body 1. Therefore, in addition to avoiding the impedance unevenness caused by the width variation of the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of grounding terminals 21, the positions of the plurality of elastic contact portions 232 of the plurality of signal terminals 23 and the plurality of elastic contact portions 212 of the plurality of grounding terminals 21 can be accurately controlled without tilting, thereby effectively improving the signal integrity performance. In addition, the insulating seat body 1 is engaged with the second retaining portion 226 of the corresponding insulating frame 22 by setting the first retaining portion 18 on the second side wall 14 corresponding to each of the receiving grooves 17, thereby preventing the corresponding terminal module 2 in the receiving groove 17 from squeezing the corresponding partition 15 and causing the partition 15 to deform or even crack, and also preventing the insulating seat body 1 from warping and deforming due to the influence of accumulated stress.

[0192] See also Figure 2 , Fig.16 , Fig.17 and Fig.18 When two electrical connectors 100 are to be connected together, the first side 11 and the second side 12 of one of the electrical connectors 100 are first aligned with the second side 12 and the first side 11 of the other electrical connector 100. The first side walls 13 of one of the electrical connectors 100 are aligned with the slots 16 of the other electrical connector 100, and then one of the electrical connectors 100 is moved from top to bottom toward the other electrical connector 100.

[0193] When the multiple guide segments 236 of the multiple signal terminals 23 of each of the terminal modules 2 located above contact the multiple guide segments 236 of the multiple signal terminals 23 of the corresponding terminal modules 2 below, the downward pressure applied by the upper guide segment 236 to the corresponding guide segment 236 below will cause the two to be spread apart from each other during relative movement. The guide segment 236 is designed in an arc shape, so that the upper guide segment 236 contacts the corresponding guide segment 236 below in a line contact manner. Therefore, the downward pressure does not need to be too large to cause the two multiple guide segments 236 that are in contact with each other to be spread apart from each other, so that the upper signal terminal 23 can smoothly move downward relative to the corresponding signal terminal 23 below. Similarly, when the multiple guide segments 216 of the multiple grounding terminals 21 of each of the terminal modules 2 located above contact the multiple guide segments 216 of the multiple grounding terminals 21 of the corresponding terminal modules 2 below, the downward pressure applied by the upper guide segment 216 to the corresponding guide segment 216 below will cause the two to be spread apart from each other during relative movement. The guide segment 216 is designed in an arc shape, so that the upper guide segment 216 contacts the corresponding guide segment 216 below in a line contact manner. Therefore, the downward pressure does not need to be too large to cause the two multiple guide segments 216 that are in contact with each other to be spread apart from each other, so that the upper grounding terminal 21 can move downward smoothly relative to the corresponding grounding terminal 21 below. Therefore, the smoothness of the multiple signal terminals 23 and the multiple grounding terminals 21 during the docking process can be improved.

[0194] See also Fig. 9 and Fig.18 , when one of the electrical connectors 100 is as Fig.18 When docked with another electrical connector 100 as shown, the multiple contact segments 235 of the multiple signal terminals 23 of each terminal module 2 are respectively docked with the multiple body parts 231 of the multiple signal terminals 23 of the corresponding terminal module 2, and the multiple contact segments 215 of the multiple grounding terminals 21 of each terminal module 2 are respectively docked with the multiple body parts 211 of the multiple grounding terminals 21 of the corresponding terminal module 2. By docking each grounding terminal 21 with the body part 211 of the corresponding grounding terminal 21 through a single elastic contact part 212, the total length of each terminal module 2 in the first direction D1 can be reduced, and the contact solder joint configuration of the circuit board for corresponding solder balls 3 can also be reduced.

[0195] See also Fig.11 and Fig.12The supporting frame 221 and the retaining frame 222 of the insulating frame 22 jointly define a bottom 228 opposite to the top 223. The main body 231 of each signal terminal 23 is covered by the insulating frame 22, and the elastic contact portion 232 and the tail portion 233 extend out of the top 223 and the bottom 228 of the insulating frame 22, respectively. The main body 231 has a width-enlarged section 237 extending toward the tail portion 233 and at least protruding out of the bottom 228. Since the impedance of air is different from the impedance of plastic, the design of the width-enlarged section 237 of the main body 231 at least protruding out of the bottom 228 and the width of the width-enlarged section 237 being wider than the width of the rest of the signal terminal 23 can reduce impedance, so that the impedance received by the signal on the transmission path of the signal terminal 23 can be kept similar or consistent, thereby increasing signal integrity performance.

[0196] In this embodiment, a portion of the width-enlarged section 237 is covered by the support frame 221 and the fixing frame 222 of the insulating frame 22, while another portion protrudes out of the bottom 228. Thus, the portion of the width-enlarged section 237 covered by the insulating frame 22 can form a transition zone to prevent the impedance of the signal from changing drastically when the width-enlarged section 237 protrudes out of the bottom 228.

[0197] Furthermore, the main body 231 further comprises a connecting section 238 connected between the elastic contact portion 232 and the width enlarged section 237. The connecting section 238 is covered by the support frame 221 of the insulating frame 22. The width enlarged section 237 comprises a main body 239 connected to the bottom end of the connecting section 238, and a first side wing 240 protruding from one side of the main body 239. The main body 239 is formed with the through hole 234. A portion of each of the main body 239 and the first side wing 240 is covered by the insulating frame 22, while another portion protrudes from the bottom 228. Thus, the width of the width enlarged section 237 in a width direction W of the signal terminal 23 is greater than the width of the connecting section 238 in the width direction W. In addition, the first side wing 240 of the plurality of signal terminals 23 are spaced apart and adjacent to each other. The first side wing portion 240 has a first inclined surface 241 facing upwards, and the first inclined surface 241 is connected to the main body portion 239 and is covered by the insulating frame 22. Thus, the top of the first side wing portion 240 is tilted downwards and outwards to prevent the impedance of the signal at the connection between the top of the first side wing portion 240 and the main body portion 239 from changing dramatically.

[0198] More specifically, the width-enlarged section 237 further has a second side wing portion 242 protruding from the side of the main body 239 opposite to the first side wing portion 240. A portion of the second side wing portion 242 is covered by the insulating frame 22 and another portion protrudes out of the bottom 228. Thus, the overall width of the width-enlarged section 237 can be further increased. In addition, the second side wing portion 242 has a second inclined surface 243 facing upward, which is connected to the main body 239 and covered by the insulating frame 22. Thus, the top of the second side wing portion 242 is tilted from top to bottom and outward to avoid a drastic change in the impedance of the signal at the connection between the top of the second side wing portion 242 and the main body 239.

[0199] The main body 211 of each ground terminal 21 is covered by the insulating frame 22, and the elastic contact portion 212 and the tail portion 213 extend out of the top portion 223 and the bottom portion 228, respectively. The main body 211 of each ground terminal 21 has a width-enlarged section 217 extending toward the tail portion 213 and at least protruding out of the bottom portion 228. By designing that the width-enlarged section 217 of the main body 211 at least protrudes out of the bottom portion 228 and the width of the width-enlarged section 217 is wider than the width of the remaining parts of the ground terminal 21, a better grounding effect and noise containment effect can be obtained.

[0200] In this embodiment, a portion of the width enlarged section 217 is covered by the support frame 221 and the holding frame 222 of the insulating frame 22 and protrudes from the top of the holding frame 222, while another portion protrudes from the bottom 228. Thus, a better grounding effect and noise containment effect can be obtained.

[0201] See also Fig.10 , Fig.13 and Fig.18 The insulating frame 22 also has two protrusions 229 protruding from the top 223. The two protrusions 229 are arranged at intervals along the first direction D1 and respectively correspond to the two elastic contact portions 232 of the two signal terminals 23. Thus, the impedance of the corresponding areas of the two elastic contact portions 232 corresponding to the two protrusions 229 can be reduced.

[0202] When one of the electrical connectors 100 is Fig.18When docked with another electrical connector 100 as shown, the contact section 235 of each signal terminal 23 of each terminal module 2 docks with the connecting section 238 of the body portion 231 of the corresponding signal terminal 23 of the terminal module 2, so that the two docked signal terminals 23 contact each other through a two-point contact method. Each protrusion 229 corresponds to the position of the elastic contact portion 232 of the corresponding signal terminal 23, and after the two electrical connectors 100 are docked with each other, they are adjacent to the corresponding other protrusion 229 in the third direction D3, so that the impedance of the signal on the transmission path between the two contact points of the two docked signal terminals 23 can be kept close or consistent, so as to increase the signal integrity performance.

[0203] See also Fig.11 , Fig.15 and Fig.19 The bottom 228 of the insulating frame 22 corresponds to the middle of the supporting frame 221 and is recessed toward the top 223 to form a separation groove 220. The separation groove 220 is between the width expansion sections 237 of the two signal terminals 23 and separates the width expansion sections 237 of the two signal terminals 23. In this way, the crosstalk interference when the two signal terminals 23 transmit signals can be reduced, so that the impedance of the signal on the transmission path between the two contact points of the two docked signal terminals 23 can be kept similar or consistent, so as to increase the signal integrity performance. In addition, the first side wing portion 240 of the width expansion section 237 of each signal terminal 23 has an exposed portion 244 that exposes the separation groove 220, and the exposed portion 244 can play a role in adjusting the impedance.

[0204] See also Figure 3 , Fig.18 and Fig. 20 In the two corresponding terminal rows T on both sides of the first side wall 13 of the insulating seat body 1 of the electrical connector 100, the two terminal modules 2 of the two terminal rows T are arranged alternately on both sides of the first side wall 13. The two grounding terminals 21 and the two elastic contact portions 212 and 232 of the two signal terminals 23 of the two corresponding terminal modules 2 arranged on both sides of the first side wall 13 are arranged in opposite directions and each bends and extends in a direction close to the first side wall 13. The two tail portions 213 and 233 of the two grounding terminals 21 and the two signal terminals 23 of the two corresponding terminal modules 2 arranged on both sides of the first side wall 13 are bent and extended in the same direction.

[0205] One of the terminal modules 2 arranged on one side of the first side wall 13 corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules 2 arranged on the other side of the first side wall 13, and each of the signal terminals 23 of one of the terminal modules 2 arranged on one side of the first side wall 13 corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal 21 of the corresponding terminal module 2 arranged on the other side of the first side wall 13. Thus, most of the differential signal terminal pairs 20 can be surrounded by two ground terminals 21 in the same column and two corresponding ground terminals 21 in adjacent columns, thereby reducing crosstalk interference.

[0206] In the two corresponding terminal rows T on both sides of each slot 16 of the insulating seat body 1 of the electrical connector 100, the two terminal modules 2 of the two terminal rows T are arranged alternately on both sides of the slot 16. The two elastic contact portions 212, 232 of the two grounding terminals 21 and the two signal terminals 23 of the two corresponding terminal modules 2 arranged on both sides of the slot 16 are arranged in opposite directions and are bent and extended in a direction away from the slot 16 respectively, so as to connect with the two grounding terminals 21 and the two signal terminals 23 of the two corresponding terminal modules 2 arranged on both sides of the first side wall 13. The two tail portions 213, 233 of the two grounding terminals 21 and the two signal terminals 23 of the two corresponding terminal modules 2 arranged on both sides of the slot 16 are bent and extended in the same direction.

[0207] One of the terminal modules 2 arranged on one side of the slot 16 corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules 2 arranged on the other side of the slot 16, and each of the signal terminals 23 of one of the terminal modules 2 arranged on one side of the slot 16 corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal 21 of the corresponding terminal module 2 arranged on the other side of the slot 16. Thus, most of the differential signal terminal pairs 20 can be surrounded by two ground terminals 21 in the same column and two corresponding ground terminals 21 in adjacent columns, thereby reducing crosstalk interference.

[0208] See also Fig.11 In this embodiment, the two grounding terminals 21 of each terminal module 2 are respectively located outside the two signal terminals 23 of the differential signal terminal pair 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other implementations of this embodiment, the two grounding terminals 21 may also be adjacent to each other and located outside the corresponding signal terminal 23 at the same time.

[0209] See also Fig.21 The overall structure of the second embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the difference lies in the detailed structure of each of the electrical connectors 100 . Fig.21 Each of the electrical connectors 100 is shown as an incomplete structure.

[0210] See also Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.23 Each two adjacent first side walls 13 of the insulating seat body 1 cooperate with the second side wall 14 and the plurality of partitions 15 to form a plurality of receiving grooves 17 and a plurality of receiving grooves 19. The plurality of receiving grooves 17 and the plurality of receiving grooves 19 are alternately arranged along the first direction D1 and communicate with the corresponding slots 16. The first side wall 13 corresponding to each receiving groove 17 is provided with the first retaining portion 18.

[0211] Each of the terminal rows T includes a plurality of differential signal terminal modules 200 and a plurality of grounding terminals 21. The plurality of differential signal terminal modules 200 and the plurality of grounding terminals 21 are alternately arranged along the first direction D1. Each of the differential signal terminal modules 200 is installed in the corresponding receiving groove 17 of the insulating seat 1. Each of the grounding terminals 21 is installed in the corresponding receiving groove 19 of the insulating seat 1.

[0212] See also Fig.24 , Fig.25 , Fig.26 and Fig. 27 Each of the differential signal terminal modules 200 includes a differential signal terminal pair 20, and an insulating frame 22 integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair 20. The differential signal terminal pair 20 includes two signal terminals 23 arranged at intervals along the first direction D1. The main body 231 of each signal terminal 23 is covered by the insulating frame 22, and the elastic contact portion 232 and the tail portion 233 extend from the top 223 and the bottom 228 of the insulating frame 22 respectively. The main body 231 has a width expansion section 237 extending toward the tail portion 233. A portion of the width expansion section 237 is covered by the support frame 221 and the retaining frame 222 of the insulating frame 22, and another portion protrudes from the bottom 228.

[0213] See also Fig. 22 , Fig.23 , Fig.25 , Fig.26 and Fig. 27, the insulating frame 22 is accommodated in the corresponding receiving groove 17. The supporting frame body 221 of the insulating frame 22 has a side surface 230 opposite to the holding frame body 222, and the second holding portion 226 disposed on the side surface 230 for holding the first holding portion 18. In this embodiment, the first holding portion 18 is a groove connected to the receiving groove 17, and the second holding portion 226 is a convex rib convexly disposed on the side surface 230 and engaged with the groove. In this way, the insulating frame 22 can be firmly held in the corresponding receiving groove 17. The bottom 228 of the insulating frame 22 is concave toward the top 223 corresponding to the middle of the holding frame body 222 to form the separation groove 220. The separation groove 220 is between the multiple width expansion sections 237 of the multiple signal terminals 23 and separates the multiple width expansion sections 237 of the multiple signal terminals 23.

[0214] See also Fig.24 , Fig.25 , Fig.26 and Fig.28 Each of the first grounding terminals 21 has a main body 211, two elastic contact portions 212 extending from one end of the main body 211 and spaced apart from each other, and two tail portions 213 extending from one end of the main body 211 opposite to the two elastic contact portions 212 and spaced apart from each other. Each of the first grounding terminals 21 also has a retaining elastic arm 218 extending obliquely from the middle of the main body 211 to interfere with the insulating seat 1. Each of the first grounding terminals 21 is inserted into the corresponding receiving groove 19 from bottom to top, and the retaining elastic arm 218 interferes with the insulating seat 1, so that each of the first grounding terminals 21 is fixed in the corresponding receiving groove 19.

[0215] See also Fig. 22 and Fig.29 , Fig.29 yes Fig. 22 A partial enlarged view of the dotted line area. Every three grounding terminals 21 (eg, Fig.29The three grounding terminals 21 selected by the dotted lines in the figure together constitute a grounding terminal module 210. The multiple grounding terminals 21 of the grounding terminal module 210 are arranged in a triangle, and the insulating seat 1 between the multiple grounding terminals 21 is formed with the corresponding receiving groove 17 for the corresponding differential signal terminal module 200 to be installed. The multiple grounding terminals 21 of the grounding terminal module 210 are staggered into two substantially parallel columns L, two of the multiple grounding terminals 21 are arranged in one of the columns L and the remaining one is arranged in the other column L. The differential signal terminal module 200 is located between the corresponding two or more grounding terminals 21 arranged in one of the columns L and faces the corresponding grounding terminal 21 arranged in the other column L. As a result, the differential signal terminal module 200 can be surrounded by the corresponding two or more grounding terminals 21 in the same column and the corresponding grounding terminals 21 in the adjacent column, thereby reducing crosstalk interference.

[0216] More specifically, every two adjacent grounding terminal modules 210 are arranged in a reverse and staggered manner on the corresponding first side wall 13 of the insulating seat 1. One of the grounding terminal modules 210 has three grounding terminals 21 framed by dotted lines, and the other grounding terminal module 210 has three grounding terminals 21 framed by imaginary lines. Multiple grounding terminal modules 210 share two grounding terminals 21 arranged obliquely. Every two adjacent differential signal terminal modules 200 are arranged in a reverse and staggered manner on the corresponding first side wall 13 of the insulating seat 1, and each differential signal terminal module 200 is located between the two grounding terminals 21 corresponding to the grounding terminal module 210. Each grounding terminal module 210 surrounds the corresponding differential signal terminal module 200 through the two shared grounding terminals 21 and one non-shared grounding terminal 21. Therefore, the compactness of the plurality of ground terminal modules 210 and the plurality of differential signal terminal modules 200 arranged in the insulating base 1 in the first direction D1 can be improved.

[0217] It should be noted that although the multiple grounding terminals 21 of the grounding terminal module 210 are illustrated as being staggeredly arranged on both sides of the insulating base body 1 corresponding to the first side wall 13, it is understandable that the multiple grounding terminals 21 of the grounding terminal module 210 can also be staggeredly arranged on both sides of the insulating base body 1 corresponding to the second side wall 14.

[0218] See also Fig. 22 and Fig.30 , Fig.30 yes Fig. 22 Each of the four ground terminals 21 (eg, Fig.30The four grounding terminals 21 selected by the dashed lines in the figure together constitute a grounding terminal module 210'. Any three of the multiple grounding terminals 21 are staggered and arranged in a triangle on the insulating seat 1. The multiple grounding terminals 21 of the grounding terminal module 210' are arranged in three substantially parallel rows L. Two of the multiple grounding terminals 21 are arranged in one of the rows L and the remaining two are arranged in the remaining two rows L respectively. Fig.30 Among the four grounding terminals 21 selected by the dotted lines, the corresponding three grounding terminals 21 located in the upper two rows L are staggered on both sides of the corresponding first side wall 13 of the insulating base 1, and the corresponding three grounding terminals 21 located in the lower two rows L are staggered on both sides of the corresponding second side wall 14 of the insulating base 1.

[0219] In the first direction D1 parallel to each of the columns L, the differential signal terminal module 200 is located between the corresponding two ground terminals 21 provided in one of the columns L. In the second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, the differential signal terminal module 200 is located between the remaining two ground terminals 21 respectively provided in the remaining two columns L. Thus, the differential signal terminal module 200 can be surrounded by the corresponding two ground terminals 21 in the same column and the corresponding two ground terminals 21 in the adjacent column, thereby reducing crosstalk interference.

[0220] More specifically, another ground terminal module 210 ′ (eg, Fig.30 The four grounding terminals 21 selected by the imaginary lines in the figure are shared by both of them. It can be understood that the other grounding terminal module 210' adjacent to the aforementioned grounding terminal module 210' in the second direction D2 also shares the same grounding terminal 21. In addition, the other grounding terminal module 210' adjacent to the aforementioned grounding terminal module 210' in an oblique direction D4 inclined to the first direction D1 (for example Fig.30 The two ground terminals 21 are selected by solid lines in the figure, and the two share two ground terminals 21. Thus, the compactness of the two ground terminal modules 210 and the two differential signal terminal modules 200 arranged in the insulating seat 1 in the first direction D1, the second direction D2 and the oblique direction D4 can be improved.

[0221] See also Fig.31 , Fig.32 and Fig.33 The overall structure of the third embodiment of the electrical connector assembly of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the difference lies in the detailed structure of each of the electrical connectors 100 . Fig.31 Shown is a fragmentary perspective view of the electrical connector 100 .

[0222] The first side wall 13 corresponding to each receiving groove 17 is provided with two recessed portions 133. The bottom end of the corresponding spacing rib 131 adjacent to each partition 15 is recessed to form the corresponding recessed portion 133. The insulating frame 22 of each terminal module 2 also has two protruding portions 223a protruding on both sides of the top 223. The two protruding portions 223a correspond to the two grounding terminals 21 respectively. The two protruding blocks 229 of the insulating frame 22 are located between the two protruding portions 223a. When each terminal module 2 is installed in the corresponding receiving groove 17, the two protruding portions 223a of the insulating frame 22 are respectively received in the two recessed portions 133 of the corresponding first side wall 13. The insulating frame 22 is engaged with the two recessed portions 133 of the insulating seat body 1 through the two protruding portions 223a to prevent the insulating frame 22 and the two grounding terminals 21 and the two signal terminals 23 covered by the insulating frame 22 from swaying relative to the insulating seat body 1. Therefore, when two electrical connectors 100 are mated with each other, the contact stability between each ground terminal 21 and the mating corresponding ground terminal 21 and the contact stability between each signal terminal 23 and the mating corresponding signal terminal 23 can be improved.

[0223] In summary, the electrical connector 100 of each embodiment, by means of the insulating frame 22 at least partially covering the differential signal terminal pair 20 in an integrally formed manner, and the terminal module 2 or the differential signal terminal module 200 is fixed in the corresponding receiving groove 17 by the insulating frame 22, can avoid the impedance unevenness caused by the width change of the plurality of signal terminals 23, and can also make the positions of the plurality of elastic contact portions 232 of the plurality of signal terminals 23 can be accurately controlled without tilting, thereby effectively improving the signal integrity performance. In addition, the insulating seat body 1 is provided with the first retaining portion 18 in each of the receiving grooves 17 to engage with the corresponding second retaining portion 226 of the insulating frame 22, which can prevent the corresponding terminal module 2 or the differential signal terminal module 200 in the receiving groove 17 from squeezing the corresponding partition 15 to cause the partition 15 to deform or even crack, and can also prevent the insulating seat body 1 from warping and deforming due to the influence of accumulated stress. Furthermore, the separation groove 220 of the insulating frame 22 separates the multiple width expansion sections 237 of the multiple signal terminals 23, thereby reducing the crosstalk interference when the multiple signal terminals 23 transmit signals, so that the impedance encountered by the signal in the transmission path between the two contact points of two or more connected signal terminals 23 can be kept similar or consistent, thereby increasing the signal integrity performance, and thus the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0224] However, the above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the description of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating base body, having a plurality of spaced-apart side walls, and a plurality of partitions disposed between every two adjacent side walls, wherein every two adjacent side walls of the insulating base body and the plurality of partitions cooperate to form a plurality of receiving grooves, and at least one first retaining portion is disposed on one of the side walls corresponding to each receiving groove; and A plurality of terminal modules are each installed in the corresponding receiving slot and comprises a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair, wherein the insulating frame has at least one second retaining portion retained on the first retaining portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of receiving grooves are arranged into a plurality of rows, and the corresponding plurality of receiving grooves of every two adjacent rows are staggeredly formed on the insulating seat, so that the corresponding plurality of terminal modules installed in the corresponding plurality of receiving grooves of every two adjacent rows are staggeredly arranged on the insulating seat.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating frame partially covers the differential signal terminal pair by insert molding.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the terminal modules also includes a ground terminal located outside the differential signal terminal pair, and the insulating frame partially covers the ground terminal by insert molding.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: Every two adjacent receiving grooves are separated by the corresponding partition plate, so that the plurality of receiving grooves and the plurality of partition plates are arranged alternately.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first holding portion is one of a convex rib and a concave groove, and the second holding portion is the other of the convex rib and the concave groove engaged with the first holding portion.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first retaining portion is a convex rib extending from one of the side walls corresponding to the receiving groove toward the receiving groove. The insulating frame has a side surface. The second retaining portion is a groove recessed inward from the side surface for the convex rib to engage.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The first holding portion is a groove connected to the receiving groove, the insulating frame has a side surface, and the second holding portion is a convex rib convexly arranged on the side surface and engaged with the groove.

9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1, 6 or 7, wherein: One of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with two first holding portions, and the insulating frame has two second holding portions respectively holding the two first holding portions.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein: The differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, and each of the terminal modules also includes two grounding terminals respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair. The insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, and each of the second retaining portions is correspondingly located between the corresponding signal terminal and the corresponding grounding terminal.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating frame has a side surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the side surface and interfering with the corresponding side wall. The second holding portion is arranged on the side surface.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein: The insulating frame has a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the side surface and interfering with the corresponding side walls.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein: The differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals. Each of the terminal modules also includes a ground terminal located outside the differential signal terminal pair. The insulating frame partially covers the ground terminal in an integral manner. The plurality of protrusions correspond to the two signal terminals and the ground terminal respectively.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating frame has a top portion, and the insulating seat body is provided with a stopping portion in each of the receiving grooves for stopping the top portion of the insulating frame.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of which has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion extending out of the insulating frame.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the terminal modules also includes two grounding terminals respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, each of the grounding terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion extending out of the insulating frame, each of the signal terminals and each of the elastic contact portions of the grounding terminals each has a contact section, and a guide head section bent and extended from one end of the contact section, and the guide head section is in an arc shape.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein: A through hole is formed at each of the signal terminals and each of the ground terminals where they are covered by the insulating frame. The insulating frame has a plurality of retaining blocks, and each retaining block is embedded and retained in the corresponding through hole.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: Every two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat body cooperate with the plurality of partitions to form a plurality of receiving grooves, the plurality of receiving grooves and the plurality of receiving grooves are arranged alternately, and the electrical connector also includes a plurality of grounding terminals, each of which is installed in a corresponding one of the receiving grooves.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: Each of the grounding terminals has a main body and a retaining elastic arm obliquely extending from the middle of the main body, and the retaining elastic arm is used to interfere with the insulating seat.

20. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: Two electrical connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the two electrical connectors have the same structure and are connected to each other.

21. A terminal module, comprising: A differential signal terminal pair having two signal terminals; and An insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two signal terminals, the insulating frame having a top and a bottom, each of the signal terminals having a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from one end of the main body to the top, and a tail portion extending from the bottom from one end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion, the main body having a width-enlarged section extending toward the tail portion and at least protruding from the bottom.

22. The terminal module according to claim 21, wherein: A portion of the width-enlarged section is covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

23. The terminal module according to claim 22, wherein: The width enlarged section has a main body and a first side wing protruding from one side of the main body. A portion of each of the main body and the first side wing is covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

24. The terminal module according to claim 23, wherein: The first side wing portions of the two signal terminals are spaced and adjacent to each other. The first side wing portion has a first inclined surface facing upwards. The first inclined surface is connected to the main body and is covered by the insulating frame.

25. The terminal module according to claim 23, wherein: The width enlarged section also has a second side wing portion protruding from a side of the main body opposite to the first side wing portion, a portion of the second side wing portion is covered by the insulating frame and another portion protrudes out of the bottom.

26. The terminal module according to claim 25, wherein: The second wing portion has a second inclined surface facing upwards, the second inclined surface is connected to the main body portion and is covered by the insulating frame.

27. The terminal module according to claim 21, wherein: The main body also has a connecting section connected between the elastic contact portion and the width expansion section and covered by the insulating frame. The width of the width expansion section in a width direction of the signal terminal is greater than the width of the connecting section in the width direction.

28. The terminal module according to claim 21, wherein: The insulating frame also has two protrusions protruding from the top, and the two protrusions correspond to the elastic contact parts of the two signal terminals respectively.

29. The terminal module as described in claim 21 further includes two grounding terminals respectively located outside the two signal terminals, the insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two grounding terminals, each of the grounding terminals has a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from the top at one end of the main body, and a tail portion extending from the bottom at an end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion, the main body of each grounding terminal has a width expansion section extending toward the tail portion and at least protruding from the bottom.

30. The terminal module according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein: The bottom of the insulating frame is recessed toward the top to form a separation groove, and the separation groove is located between the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals and separates the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals.

31. The terminal module according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein: The bottom of the insulating frame is recessed toward the top to form a separation groove, the separation groove is between the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals and separates the width expansion sections of the two signal terminals, and the width expansion section of each signal terminal has an exposed portion exposed outside the separation groove.

32. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating base body having a side wall; A plurality of terminal modules are staggeredly arranged on both sides of the side wall, each of the terminal modules has a plurality of terminals, and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the plurality of terminals, each of the terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame, the elastic contact portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the side wall are arranged in opposite directions and each bends and extends in a direction close to the side wall, and the tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the side wall are bent and extended in the same direction.

33. The electrical connector of claim 32, wherein: The plurality of terminal areas of each terminal module are divided into two signal terminals and two ground terminals. The two signal terminals are spaced apart and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair. The two ground terminals are respectively located outside the two signal terminals.

34. The electrical connector of claim 33, wherein: One of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position between two corresponding adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the side wall, and each signal terminal of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the side wall.

35. The electrical connector of claim 32, wherein: Each of the terminal modules is a differential signal terminal module. Each of the plurality of terminals is a signal terminal. The plurality of terminals are spaced and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair.

36. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: A first electrical connector, comprising an insulating seat and a plurality of terminal modules, the insulating seat having a side wall, the plurality of terminal modules being staggeredly arranged on both sides of the side wall, each of the terminal modules having a plurality of terminals, and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the plurality of terminals, each of the terminals having an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame, the plurality of elastic contact portions of the plurality of terminals of the corresponding two plurality of terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall being arranged in opposite directions and each being bent and extended in a direction close to the side wall, and the tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules arranged on both sides of the side wall being bent and extended in the same direction; and A second electrical connector is connected to the first electrical connector and includes an insulating seat body and a plurality of terminal modules. The insulating seat body is formed with a slot for the side wall to be inserted. The plurality of terminal modules are staggered on both sides of the slot. Each of the terminal modules has a plurality of terminals and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the plurality of terminals. Each of the terminals has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame. The elastic contact portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the slot are arranged in opposite directions and each bends and extends in a direction away from the slot to connect with the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the side wall. The tail portions of the terminals of the corresponding two terminal modules respectively arranged on both sides of the slot are bent and extended in the same direction.

37. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein: The plurality of terminal areas of each terminal module are divided into two signal terminals and two ground terminals. The two signal terminals are spaced apart and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair. The two ground terminals are respectively located outside the two signal terminals.

38. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein: One of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position between the corresponding two adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the side wall, one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the slot corresponds to the position between the corresponding two adjacent terminal modules arranged on the other side of the slot, each of the signal terminals of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the side wall corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the side wall, and each of the signal terminals of one of the terminal modules arranged on one side of the slot corresponds to the position of the corresponding ground terminal of the corresponding terminal module arranged on the other side of the slot.

39. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in claim 36, wherein: Each of the terminal modules is a differential signal terminal module. Each of the plurality of terminals is a signal terminal. The plurality of terminals are spaced and adjacent to each other to form a differential signal terminal pair.

40. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating seat body; At least one grounding terminal module, comprising at least three grounding terminals staggeredly arranged on the insulating base; and At least one differential signal terminal module is arranged in the insulating seat and located between at least three of the ground terminals. The differential signal terminal module includes a differential signal terminal pair and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair and fixed to the insulating seat.

41. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: The insulating seat is formed with a receiving groove located between at least three grounding terminals and for installing the differential signal terminal module.

42. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: At least three grounding terminals of the grounding terminal module are arranged in a triangle.

43. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: At least three of the grounding terminals are staggered into two basically parallel columns, two of the at least three grounding terminals are arranged in one of the columns and the remaining one is arranged in the other column, and the differential signal terminal module is located between the corresponding two grounding terminals arranged in one of the columns and faces the corresponding grounding terminal arranged in the other column.

44. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: The differential signal terminal pair includes two signal terminals, each of which has an elastic contact portion and a tail portion exposed from the insulating frame.

45. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: Each of the grounding terminals has a retaining elastic arm interfering with the insulating seat.

46. ​​The electrical connector according to any one of claims 40 to 45, wherein: The insulating seat has a side wall, and the electrical connector includes two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules. The two grounding terminal modules are arranged in an opposite and staggered manner on the side wall of the insulating seat, and the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module are staggered on both sides of the side wall of the insulating seat. The two grounding terminal modules share two grounding terminals arranged obliquely, and the two differential signal terminal modules are arranged in an opposite and staggered manner on the side wall of the insulating seat. Each differential signal terminal module is located between the two grounding terminals corresponding to the grounding terminal module, and each grounding terminal module surrounds the corresponding differential signal terminal module through the two shared grounding terminals and a non-shared grounding terminal.

47. The electrical connector of claim 40, wherein: The grounding terminal module comprises four grounding terminals, which are arranged in a ring shape and surround the differential signal terminal module, and any three of the four grounding terminals are staggeredly arranged on the insulating seat and arranged in a triangle.

48. The electrical connector of claim 47, wherein: The four grounding terminals are arranged in three basically parallel columns, two of the four grounding terminals are arranged in one of the columns and the remaining two are respectively arranged in the remaining two columns, in a first direction parallel to each of the columns, the differential signal terminal module is located between the corresponding two grounding terminals arranged in one of the columns, and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the differential signal terminal module is located between the remaining two grounding terminals respectively arranged in the remaining two columns.

49. The electrical connector as described in claim 48 comprises two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules, the two grounding terminal modules are adjacent in the first direction or the second direction and share one grounding terminal, and the grounding terminal of each grounding terminal module surrounds the corresponding differential signal terminal module.

50. The electrical connector as described in claim 48 comprises two grounding terminal modules and two differential signal terminal modules, the two grounding terminal modules are adjacent to each other in an oblique direction inclined to the first direction and share two grounding terminals, and the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module surround the corresponding differential signal terminal module.

51. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating base body having a plurality of spaced-apart side walls, a plurality of receiving grooves being formed between every two adjacent side walls of the insulating base body, and one of the side walls corresponding to each receiving groove being provided with two recessed portions; and A plurality of terminal modules, each of which includes a differential signal terminal pair, two grounding terminals respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair, and an insulating frame integrally formed to partially cover the differential signal terminal pair and the two grounding terminals, the insulating frame having a top and two protruding portions protruding from both sides of the top, and when each of the terminal modules is installed in the corresponding receiving groove, the two protruding portions are received in the two recessed portions.

52. The electrical connector of claim 51, wherein: Another of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with at least one first holding portion, and the insulating frame has at least one second holding portion held on the first holding portion.

53. The electrical connector of claim 52, wherein: The first holding portion is one of a convex rib and a concave groove, and the second holding portion is the other of the convex rib and the concave groove engaged with the first holding portion.

54. The electrical connector according to claim 52 or 53, wherein: Another of the side walls corresponding to each of the receiving grooves is provided with two first holding portions, and the insulating frame has two second holding portions respectively holding the two first holding portions.

55. The electrical connector of claim 51, wherein: The differential signal terminal pair has two signal terminals. The insulating frame also has two protruding blocks protruding from the top. The two protruding blocks correspond to the two signal terminals respectively, and the two protruding blocks are located between the two protruding parts.

56. The electrical connector of claim 55, wherein: The two protruding portions correspond to the two ground terminals respectively.

57. The electrical connector of claim 51, wherein: The insulating seat body also has a plurality of partitions arranged between every two adjacent side walls. Every two adjacent side walls of the insulating seat body and the plurality of partitions cooperate to form a plurality of receiving grooves.

58. An electrical connector assembly, comprising: Two electrical connectors according to any one of claims 51 to 57, the two electrical connectors have the same structure and are connected to each other.

59. A terminal module, comprising: A differential signal terminal pair having two signal terminals; Two ground terminals, respectively located outside the differential signal terminal pair; and An insulating frame is integrally formed to partially cover the two signal terminals and the two ground terminals, the insulating frame having a top and a bottom, each of the signal terminals and each of the ground terminals respectively having a main body covered by the insulating frame, an elastic contact portion extending from one end of the main body to the top, and a tail portion extending from one end of the main body opposite to the elastic contact portion to the bottom, and the insulating frame also has two protrusions protruding from both sides of the top.

60. The terminal module according to claim 59, wherein: The main body has a width-enlarged section extending toward the tail and at least protruding out of the bottom, and at least a portion of the width-enlarged section is covered by the insulating frame.

61. The terminal module according to claim 59, wherein: The insulating frame also has two protruding blocks protruding from the top, the two protruding blocks respectively correspond to the two signal terminals, and the two protruding blocks are located between the two protruding parts.

62. The terminal module according to claim 61, wherein: The two protruding portions correspond to the two ground terminals respectively.

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