Electric connector assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses an electric connector assembly, two sides of a shielding metal upper shell of a wire end connector protrude outwards to form limiting blocking arms, a wire end shielding shell is provided with a panel part, lock catch parts arranged at the front ends of two sides of the panel part and limiting parts arranged at the rear ends of two sides of the panel part, the panel end shielding shell comprises a base part, and the base part is provided with a clamping groove. The U-shaped locking arm is formed by bending and extending one side of the base part outwards, a locking through groove is formed in the middle of the U-shaped locking arm, and when the wire end shielding shell is located at the initial position, the limiting blocking arm is matched with the limiting part, so that the wire end shielding shell is kept at the top of the shielding metal upper shell; when the wire end shielding shell slides to the lock catch position, the lock catch part is clamped into the lock catch through groove to form a first clamping and locking structure. The pull-out holding force of the wire end connector is increased, so that the connector assembly is suitable for a severe environment, and the wire end connector and the board end connector are prevented from loosening due to collision or touch of external force after being plugged oppositely.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and in particular to an electrical connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing popularity of the Internet, the coverage of the Internet of Things is getting larger and larger. In many fields such as smart consumer electronics, digital household appliances, security monitoring, and self-service terminals, board-to-wire connectors are required, and the demand for board-to-wire connectors has increased sharply. Requirements for their connection accuracy, contact stability, shielding performance, etc. are also getting higher and higher. For board-to-wire connectors applied in harsh environments such as the aerospace field or the automotive field, once they are subjected to external force collision or touch, it is easy to cause loosening or detachment between the board-end connector and the wire-end connector of the connector assembly, resulting in unstable signal transmission between the board-end connector and the wire-end connector. How to have good contact stability while ensuring its shielding performance is a key technical problem to be solved in the industry.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a board-to-wire connector assembly with high-intensity EMI performance, high contact stability, and stable shielding effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide an electrical connector assembly, which realizes an increase in the pull-out retention force, enables the connector assembly to be applicable to harsh environments, and prevents the wire-end connector and the board-end connector from loosening after being inserted due to external force collision or touch.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] An electrical connector assembly includes a wire-end connector and a board-end connector. The wire-end connector includes a shielding metal lower shell, a wire-end plastic base provided inside the shielding metal lower shell, wire-end signal terminals and wire-end ground tabs fixed on the wire-end plastic base, a shielding metal upper shell covering the shielding metal lower shell, and a wire-end shielding outer shell covering the top of the shielding metal upper shell;

[0007] The board-end connector includes: a board-end insulating base, board-end shielding shells embedded at both ends of the board-end insulating base, board-end signal terminals and board-end ground terminals fixed on the board-end insulating base and arranged at intervals, and a board-end ground spring piece embedded at the bottom of the board-end insulating base;

[0008] The shielding metal upper shell and the shielding metal lower shell are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece and the shielding layer of the cable. The wire-end signal terminal is electrically connected to the wire core of the cable. The board-end shielding shell is electrically connected to the shielding metal upper shell and the shielding metal lower shell. The wire-end signal terminal is electrically connected to the board-end signal terminal. The board-end grounding terminal and the board-end grounding spring piece are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece;

[0009] Wherein, two sides of the shielding metal upper shell protrude outward to form limiting retaining arms. The wire-end shielding outer shell has a panel part, locking parts arranged at the front ends of both sides of the panel part, and limiting parts arranged at the rear ends of both sides of the panel part. The board-end shielding shell includes a base part, and a U-shaped locking arm bent and extended outward from one side of the base part. A locking through groove is formed in the middle of the U-shaped locking arm.

[0010] When the wire-end shielding outer shell is in the initial position, the limiting retaining arm and the limiting part cooperate to keep the wire-end shielding outer shell on the top of the shielding metal upper shell. When the wire-end shielding outer shell slides to the locking position, the locking part snaps into the locking through groove to form a first locking structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the board-end grounding spring piece is integrally formed from a metal base material. It includes a strip-shaped main body part, contact parts extending from both ends of the main body part, and elastic locking parts connected to the contact parts. Through holes are formed on both sides of the shielding metal lower shell. When the wire-end shielding outer shell slides to the locking position, the locking part snapped into the locking through groove applies force to the elastic locking part to make the locking elastic part snap into the through holes to form a second locking structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic locking part includes an extension arm, an elastic arm vertically connected to the extension arm, and an arc-shaped locking part formed by bending the elastic arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the wire-end grounding piece includes a bottom plate part, a plurality of partition parts bent and extended from one side of the bottom plate part and arranged at intervals, and a plurality of wire-end grounding terminals extended from the other side of the bottom plate part and arranged at intervals. The wire-end grounding terminals include a first grounding terminal located on the outermost side and a second grounding terminal located between the two first grounding terminals. The first grounding terminal is electrically connected to the contact part, and the second grounding terminal is electrically connected to the board-end grounding terminal.

[0014] Furthermore, there are two contact points between the board-end signal terminal and the wire-end signal terminal, two contact points between the first grounding terminal and the contact part of the board-end grounding spring piece, and two contact points between the second grounding terminal and the board-end grounding terminal.

[0015] Further, both ends of the base of the board - end shielding case are bent downward and extended to form side - plate parts. The side - plate parts have first grooves. The base is bent downward and extended on the side opposite to the U - shaped locking arm to form a hanging plate part. The hanging plate part is provided with second grooves. The inner side of the shielding metal lower case has a first protruding part. The first grounding terminal is provided with a first protruding part and a second protruding part. When the wire - end connector and the board - end connector are snap - fitted and installed, the first protruding part is snapped into the first groove, and the second protruding part is snapped into the second groove.

[0016] Further, one end of the wire - end grounding terminal away from the partition part has a clamping part. The front end of the shielding metal lower case is provided with a plurality of third grooves at intervals. The clamping part can be crimped in the third grooves to make the shielding metal lower case electrically connected to the wire - end grounding piece.

[0017] Further, the board - end grounding spring piece and the board - end shielding case are integrally injection - molded on the board - end insulating base, and the wire - end grounding piece is integrally injection - molded on the wire - end plastic base.

[0018] Further, it further includes a pair of plate - shaped ground pieces arranged outside the shielding layer of the cable. The plate - shaped ground pieces are electrically connected to the wire - end grounding piece and the metal shielding upper case respectively.

[0019] In the connector assembly of the present invention, by providing that both sides of the shielding metal upper case of the wire - end connector protrude outward to form limiting retaining arms, the wire - end shielding outer case has a panel part, locking parts arranged at the front ends of both sides of the panel part, and limiting parts arranged at the rear ends of both sides of the panel part. The board - end shielding case includes a base and a U - shaped locking arm bent outward from one side of the base. The middle of the U - shaped locking arm has a locking through - slot. When the wire - end shielding outer case is in the initial position, the limiting retaining arms and the limiting parts cooperate to keep the wire - end shielding outer case on the top of the shielding metal upper case. When the wire - end shielding outer case slides to the locking position, the locking parts are snapped into the locking through - slot to form a first locking structure, so as to increase the pull - out retaining force of the wire - end connector, make the connector assembly applicable to harsh environments, and prevent the wire - end connector and the board - end connector from loosening due to external force collision or touch after being inserted into each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a three - dimensional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (the wire - end shielding outer case is in the initial position);

[0021] Figure 2 is a three - dimensional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention (the wire - end shielding outer case slides to the locking position);

[0022] Figure 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of the wire - end connector in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 Exploded view of the board - end connector in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 One of the sectional views of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 Another sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 The third sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 The fourth sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 9 Structural diagram of the wire - end shielding housing in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 Structural diagram of the wire - end grounding tab in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 11 Structural diagram of the shielding metal lower housing in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 12 Structural diagram of the board - end shielding case in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 13 Structural diagram of the board - end grounding spring piece in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include:

[0034] Electrical Connector Assembly - 100, Wire - end Connector - 200, Shielding Metal Lower Shell - 210, Through - hole - 211, First Protrusion - 212, Third Groove - 213, Wire - end Plastic Base - 220, Wire - end Signal Terminal - 230, Wire - end Grounding Piece - 240, Bottom Plate Portion - 241, Partition Portion - 242, First Grounding Terminal - 243, First Protrusion - 2431, Second Protrusion - 2432, Second Grounding Terminal - 244, Clamping Portion - 245, Shielding Metal Upper Shell - 250, Limit Stop Arm - 251, Wire - end Shielding Outer Shell - 260, Panel Portion - 261, Locking Portion - 262, Limiting Portion - 263, Plate - shaped Grounding Piece - 270, Board - end Connector - 300, Board - end Insulating Base - 310, Board - end Shielding Shell - 320, Base Portion - 321, U - shaped Locking Arm - 322, Locking Through - slot - 323, Side Plate Portion - 324, First Groove - 3241, Hanging Plate Portion - 325, Second Groove - 3251, Board - end Signal Terminal - 330, Board - end Grounding Terminal - 340, Board - end Grounding Elastic Piece - 350, Main Body Portion - 351, Contact Portion - 352, Elastic Locking Portion - 353, Extension Arm - 3531, Elastic Arm - 3532, Arc - shaped Locking Portion - 3533, First Locking Structure - 410, Second Locking Structure - 420, Contact Point - 430, Cable - 500, Shielding Layer - 510, Core - 520. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0035] In an embodiment of the present application, by providing an electrical connector assembly, the technical problems of low contact stability between the board - end and the wire - end and low EMI performance intensity in the prior art under harsh environments are solved.

[0036] The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application to solve the above - mentioned technical problems is generally as follows:

[0037] By providing limit stop arms protruding outward on both sides of the shielding metal upper shell of the wire - end connector, the wire - end shielding outer shell has a panel portion, locking portions provided at the front ends on both sides of the panel portion, and limiting portions provided at the rear ends on both sides of the panel portion. The board - end shielding shell includes a base portion, and a U - shaped locking arm bent and extended outward from one side of the base portion. The U - shaped locking arm has a locking through - slot in the middle. When the wire - end shielding outer shell is in the initial position, the limit stop arms and the limiting portions cooperate to keep the wire - end shielding outer shell on the top of the shielding metal upper shell. When the wire - end shielding outer shell slides to the locking position, the locking portions are snapped into the locking through - slot to form a first locking structure. This is to increase the pull - out retention force of the wire - end connector, make the connector assembly suitable for harsh environments, and prevent the wire - end connector and the board - end connector from loosening due to external force collision or touch after being inserted into each other.

[0038] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the following provides a detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0039] As Figures 1 to 13 shown, this is an embodiment of the present application:

[0040] An electrical connector assembly 100 includes a wire-end connector 200 and a board-end connector 300. The wire-end connector 200 includes a shielding metal lower shell 210, a wire-end plastic base 220 disposed inside the shielding metal lower shell 210, wire-end signal terminals 230 and a wire-end grounding tab 240 fixed on the wire-end plastic base 220, and a shielding metal upper shell 250 covering the shielding metal lower shell 210 and a wire-end shielding housing 260 covering the top of the shielding metal upper shell 250;

[0041] The board-end connector 300 includes: a board-end insulating base 310, board-end shielding shells 320 embedded at both ends of the board-end insulating base 310, board-end signal terminals 340 and board-end grounding terminals 340 fixed on the board-end insulating base 310 and spaced apart, and a board-end grounding spring piece 350 embedded at the bottom of the board-end insulating base 310;

[0042] The shielding metal upper shell 250 and the shielding metal lower shell 210 are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding tab 240 and the shielding layer 510 of the cable 500. The wire-end signal terminals 230 are electrically connected to the wire cores 510 of the cable 500. The board-end shielding shells 320 are electrically connected to the shielding metal upper shell 250 and the shielding metal lower shell 210. The wire-end signal terminals 230 are electrically connected to the board-end signal terminals 330. The board-end grounding terminals 340 and the board-end grounding spring piece 350 are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding tab 240;

[0043] Wherein, two sides of the shielding metal upper shell 250 protrude outwardly with limiting retaining arms 251. The wire-end shielding housing 260 has a panel portion 261, locking portions 262 provided at the front ends of both sides of the panel portion 261, and limiting portions 263 provided at the rear ends of both sides of the panel portion 261. The board-end shielding shell 320 includes a base portion 321, a U-shaped locking arm 322 bent and extended outwardly from one side of the base portion 321, and a locking through slot 323 in the middle of the U-shaped locking arm 322;

[0044] Focusing on Figure 1 、 Figure 2As shown, when the wire-end shielding housing 260 is in the initial position, the limiting retaining arm 51 and the limiting portion 263 cooperate to keep the wire-end shielding housing 260 at the top of the shielding metal upper housing 250; when the wire-end shielding housing 260 slides to the locking position under the action of an external force X, the locking portion 262 snaps into the locking through groove 323 to form a first locking structure 410. Through the first locking structure 410, the locking between the wire-end shielding housing 260 and the board-end shielding housing 320 is realized, increasing the pull-out retaining force of the wire-end connector 200, making the connector assembly 100 suitable for harsh environments, and preventing the wire-end connector 200 and the board-end connector 300 from loosening due to external force collision or touch after being inserted into each other.

[0045] Further, with particular reference to Figure 5 , Figure 9 , Figures 11 - 13 As shown, the board-end grounding spring piece 350 is integrally formed from a metal base material, and includes a strip-shaped main body portion 351, contact portions 352 extending from both ends of the main body portion 351, and an elastic locking portion 353 connected to the contact portions 352. Both sides of the shielding metal lower housing 210 have through holes 211. When the wire-end shielding housing 260 slides to the locking position, the locking portion 262 snapped into the locking through groove 323 applies a force to the elastic locking portion 353 to make the locking elastic portion 353 snap into the through holes 211 to form a second locking structure 420. Through the second locking structure 420, the locking between the board-end grounding spring piece 350 and the wire-end shielding metal lower housing 210 is realized, further increasing the pull-out retaining force of the wire-end connector 200. Through the double locking structure of the first locking structure 410 and the second locking structure 420, the connection between the board-end connector 300 and the wire-end connector 200 is made more stable, further improving the contact stability.

[0046] Specifically, with reference again to Figure 13 As shown, the elastic locking portion 353 includes an extension arm 3531, an elastic arm 3532 perpendicularly connected to the extension arm 3531, and an arc-shaped locking portion 3533 formed by bending the elastic arm 3532. It can be understood that multiple arc segments can be provided on the arc-shaped locking portion 3533, and the arc segments can make the process of the elastic locking portion 353 snapping into the through holes 211 smoother.

[0047] Further, with particular reference to Figure 10As shown, the wire-end grounding piece 240 includes a bottom plate portion 241, a plurality of partition portions 242 formed by bending and extending from one side of the bottom plate portion 241 and arranged at intervals, and a plurality of wire-end grounding terminals formed by extending from the other side of the bottom plate portion 241 and arranged at intervals. The wire-end grounding terminals include a first grounding terminal 243 located on the outermost side and a second grounding terminal 244 located between the two first grounding terminals 243. The first grounding terminal 243 is electrically connected to the contact portion 352, and the second grounding terminal 244 is electrically connected to the board-end grounding terminal 340. It should be noted that the partition portions 242 can separate adjacent cables 500 to arrange the cables 500 in an orderly manner.

[0048] Furthermore, there are two contact points 430 between the board-end signal terminal 330 and the wire-end signal terminal 230, two contact points 430 between the first grounding terminal 243 and the contact portion 352 of the board-end grounding spring piece 350, and two contact points 430 between the second grounding terminal 244 and the board-end grounding terminal 340. Having two contact points 430 between the board-end signal terminal and the wire-end signal terminal, and between the board-end grounding terminal and the wire-end grounding terminal, on the one hand, increases the insertion and extraction force between the wire-end connector and the board-end connector, and on the other hand, ensures signal integrity and stable contact.

[0049] Furthermore, both ends of the base portion 321 of the board-end shielding case 320 are bent and extended downward to form side plate portions 324. The side plate portions 324 have first grooves 3241. The base portion 321 is bent and extended downward on the side opposite to the U-shaped locking arm 322 to form a hanging plate portion 325. The hanging plate portion 325 is provided with second grooves 3251. The inner side of the shielding metal lower case 210 has a first protrusion 2431. The first grounding terminal 243 is provided with a first protrusion 2431 and a second protrusion 2432. When the wire-end connector 200 and the board-end connector 300 are snap-fitted and installed, the first protrusion 2431 is snapped into the first groove 3241, and the second protrusion 2432 is snapped into the second groove 3251. By providing three snap-fitting points with the wire-end connector on the board-end shielding case 320, the extraction holding force and the contact shielding performance are increased to better adapt to use in harsh environments.

[0050] Furthermore, one end of the wire-end grounding terminal away from the partition portion 242 has a caulking portion 245. The front end of the shielding metal lower case 210 is provided with a plurality of third grooves 213 at intervals. The caulking portion 245 can be crimped in the third grooves 213 to electrically connect the shielding metal lower case 210 to the wire-end grounding piece 240 to form a shielding circuit and improve the EMI performance.

[0051] Further, the board-end grounding spring piece 350 and the board-end shielding case 320 are integrally injection-molded on the board-end insulating base 310, and the wire-end grounding piece 240 is integrally injection-molded on the wire-end plastic base 220.

[0052] Further, it further includes a pair of plate-shaped ground pieces 270 disposed outside the shielding layer 510 of the cable 500. The plate-shaped ground pieces 270 are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece 240 and the metal shielding upper case 250 respectively to form a shielding loop and improve the EMI performance.

[0053] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope recorded in this specification.

[0054] The above-described embodiments only express the implementation manners of the present invention. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the invention patent should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that, It includes a wire-end connector and a board-end connector. The wire-end connector includes a shielding metal lower shell, a wire-end plastic base arranged inside the shielding metal lower shell, wire-end signal terminals and a wire-end grounding piece fixed on the wire-end plastic base, as well as a shielding metal upper shell covering the shielding metal lower shell and a wire-end shielding outer shell covering the top of the shielding metal upper shell; The board-end connector includes: a board-end insulating base, board-end shielding shells embedded at both ends of the board-end insulating base, board-end signal terminals and board-end grounding terminals fixed on the board-end insulating base and arranged at intervals, and a board-end grounding spring piece embedded at the bottom of the board-end insulating base; The shielding metal upper shell and the shielding metal lower shell are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece and the shielding layer of the cable. The wire-end signal terminals are electrically connected to the wire cores of the cable. The board-end shielding shells are electrically connected to the shielding metal upper shell and the shielding metal lower shell. The wire-end signal terminals are electrically connected to the board-end signal terminals. The board-end grounding terminals and the board-end grounding spring piece are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece; Wherein, two limiting retaining arms protrude outward from both sides of the shielding metal upper shell. The wire-end shielding outer shell has a panel part, locking parts arranged at the front ends of both sides of the panel part, and limiting parts arranged at the rear ends of both sides of the panel part. The board-end shielding shell includes a base part, a U-shaped locking arm bent and extended outward from one side of the base part. A locking through groove is formed in the middle of the U-shaped locking arm; When the wire-end shielding outer shell is in the initial position, the limiting retaining arms and the limiting parts cooperate to keep the wire-end shielding outer shell on the top of the shielding metal upper shell. When the wire-end shielding outer shell slides to the locking position, the locking parts are snapped into the locking through groove to form a first locking structure.

2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein The board-end grounding spring piece is integrally formed from a metal substrate. It includes a strip-shaped main body part, contact parts extended from both ends of the main body part, and an elastic locking part connected to the contact parts. Through holes are formed on both sides of the shielding metal lower shell. When the wire-end shielding outer shell slides to the locking position, the locking parts snapped into the locking through groove apply force to the elastic locking parts to make the locking elastic parts snap into the through holes to form a second locking structure.

3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The elastic locking part includes an extending arm, an elastic arm vertically connected to the extending arm, and an arc-shaped locking part bent from the elastic arm.

4. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein The wire-end grounding piece includes a bottom plate part, a plurality of partition parts bent and extended from one side of the bottom plate part and arranged at intervals, and a plurality of wire-end grounding terminals extended from the other side of the bottom plate part and arranged at intervals. The wire-end grounding terminals include a first grounding terminal at the outermost side and a second grounding terminal between two of the first grounding terminals. The first grounding terminal is electrically connected to the contact part. The second grounding terminal is electrically connected to the board-end grounding terminal.

5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein, There are two contact points between the board-end signal terminal and the wire-end signal terminal. There are two contact points between the first grounding terminal and the contact part of the board-end grounding spring piece. There are two contact points between the second grounding terminal and the board-end grounding terminal.

6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein, Both ends of the base of the board-end shielding shell are bent downward and extended to form side plate portions, and a first groove is provided on the side plate portions. The base is bent downward and extended on the side opposite to the U-shaped locking arm to form a hanging plate portion, and a second groove is provided on the hanging plate portion. A first protruding portion is provided on the inner side of the shielding metal lower shell, and a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion are provided on the first grounding terminal. When the wire-end connector and the board-end connector are snap-fitted and installed, the first protruding portion is snapped into the first groove, and the second protruding portion is snapped into the second groove.

7. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, One end of the wire-end grounding terminal away from the partition portion has a snap-in portion, and a plurality of third grooves are provided at intervals at the front end of the shielding metal lower shell. The snap-in portion can be crimped in the third groove to electrically connect the shielding metal lower shell and the wire-end grounding piece.

8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The board-end grounding spring piece and the board-end shielding shell are integrally injection-molded on the board-end insulating base, and the wire-end grounding piece is integrally injection-molded on the wire-end plastic base.

9. The electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It further includes a pair of plate-shaped ground pieces arranged outside the shielding layer of the cable, and the plate-shaped ground pieces are electrically connected to the wire-end grounding piece and the metal shielding upper shell respectively.

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