Electric connector

Abstract

An electrical connector is provided, comprising: an insulating module having a mating end mating with a mating connector in a first direction; a plurality of connection terminals installed in the insulation module; first and second covers respectively disposed on opposite sides of the insulating module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and engaged with each other to define a receiving cavity therebetween, the insulating module being at least partially positioned and received within the receiving cavity, at least one cover forming a mounting structure, the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted on the circuit board via the mounting structure, and each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module in the second direction is provided with a module positioning structure, and each cover is provided with a cover positioning structure for engaging with the module positioning structure, and the mounting structure is arranged on the cover to position the insulating module at different positions relative to the cover, so that the mounting distance in the first direction between the mounting structure and the end surface of the matching end in the first direction is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the field of connectors, and more specifically, to electrical connectors capable of mounting distances. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical connectors, such as cable connectors, are commonly used to establish electrical connections between various electronic components or devices. Their applications range from home appliances and industrial equipment to data center power racks and servers. Electrical connectors are typically mounted on a device's circuit board or similar structure to mate with mating connectors or other electronic components.

[0003] In different applications, the installation space or requirements for electrical connectors may be limited or variable. For example, different applications may require electrical connectors to be installed at different distances, positions, or orientations to adapt to limited installation space or meet actual installation location requirements. The mounting structure on conventional electrical connectors is usually fixed. Therefore, different installation distances or positions require electrical connectors of different sizes or structures, which in turn require different molds to manufacture connectors of different sizes or structures. Consequently, conventional electrical connectors have poor versatility in terms of installation distance or position. Furthermore, the outer shell of conventional electrical connectors is usually molded onto the internal insulating module using a molding process (i.e., external molding). Instability in molding may cause glue burn-in problems in the soldering areas of the electrical connector, affecting SI (signal integrity) performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure is made in order to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned and other problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an electrical connector is provided, comprising: an insulating module having a mating end for engaging with a mating connector in a first direction, the mating end having an end face in the first direction; a plurality of connecting terminals mounted within the insulating module; and a first cover and a second cover respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulating module in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first cover and the second cover engaging with each other to define a receiving cavity therebetween, the insulating module being at least partially positioned and received within the receiving cavity, at least one of the first cover and the second cover forming a mounting structure, the electrical connector being adapted to be mounted on a circuit board via the mounting structure, and the insulating module having a module positioning structure on each of two opposite surfaces in the second direction, each of the first cover and the second cover having a cover positioning structure configured to engage with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module at different locations relative to the first cover and the second cover, such that the mounting distance between the mounting structure and the end face in the first direction is adjustable.

[0006] In some embodiments, the different positions include at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the mounting structure and the end face have a first mounting distance in the first direction. In the second position, the mounting structure and the end face have a second mounting distance in the first direction that is greater than the first mounting distance.

[0007] In some embodiments, the module positioning structure includes at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction, each row of module positioning structures being at a different distance from the end face in the first direction, and each row of module positioning structures including two or more module positioning structures spaced apart in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0008] In some embodiments, adjacent rows of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction, and adjacent rows of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second spacing in the third direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, two adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other in the first direction or offset from each other in the third direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cover positioning structure of each of the first cover and the second cover includes at least two rows of cover positioning structures. In an assembled state in which the first cover and the second cover are engaged with each other to position the insulating module within the receiving cavity, each row of cover positioning structures is spaced at a different distance from the end face in the first direction, and each row of cover positioning structures includes two or more cover positioning structures spaced apart in the third direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, adjacent rows of cover positioning structures in each of the first and second covers are spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction, and adjacent two cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second spacing in the third direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first and second covers are aligned with each other in the first direction or offset from each other in the third direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, each cover positioning structure is configured to engage with each module positioning structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the number of rows in the at least two-row cover positioning structure is the same as the number of rows in the at least two-row module positioning structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the number of module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures may be the same as or different from the number of cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least two rows of module positioning structures disposed on each of the two surfaces include a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction. The first row of module positioning structures includes two or more first module positioning structures, and the second row of module positioning structures includes two or more second module positioning structures. The distance between the first row of module positioning structures and the end face in the first direction is less than the distance between the second row of module positioning structures and the end face in the first direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, the at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the first cover include a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the first cover and spaced apart in the first direction. The first row of cover positioning structures includes two or more first cover positioning structures, and the second row of cover positioning structures includes two or more second cover positioning structures.

[0018] The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the second cover include a third row of cover positioning structures and a fourth row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the second cover and spaced apart in the first direction. The third row of cover positioning structures includes two or more third cover positioning structures, and the fourth row of cover positioning structures includes two or more fourth cover positioning structures. In the assembled state and at the first position, the first row of cover positioning structures and the third row of cover positioning structures are aligned and engaged with the first row of module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction, respectively. The second row of cover positioning structures and the fourth row of cover positioning structures are aligned and engaged with the second row of module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction, respectively. And in the assembled state and at the second position, the first row of cover positioning structures and the third row of cover positioning structures are aligned and engaged with the second row of module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction, respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the first cover and the second cover is configured to be disposed on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module.

[0020] In some embodiments, the electrical connector is capable of switching between a first configuration and a second configuration suitable for mounting on the circuit board; in the first configuration, the first cover is disposed on one of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module, and the second cover is disposed on the other surface; in the second configuration, the first cover is disposed on the other surface, and the second cover is disposed on the first surface.

[0021] In some embodiments, one of the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure includes a positioning hole, and the other includes a positioning post adapted to be inserted into the positioning hole.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mounting structure includes a mounting hole formed through the second cover in the second direction, and the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted to the circuit board via a fastener inserted into the mounting hole.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mounting structure is formed on two opposite sides of the second cover located outside the insulating module in the third-party direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, one of the first cover and the second cover has a connecting hole, and the other has a resilient arm adapted to snap into the connecting hole.

[0025] In some embodiments, the electrical connector is a wire-end connector adapted to electrically connect a cable via the connection terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a first location;

[0028] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a top view schematically illustrating the structure of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 An electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line A-A' in the image;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a first and second cover joined together by an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the insulating module has been removed;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a side view schematically illustrating the structure of the insulating module of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board in a first configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a second location;

[0034] Figure 8 It is shown schematically. Figure 7 A top view of the structure of the electrical connector shown in the figure; and

[0035] Figure 9 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of an electrical connector mounted on a circuit board in a second configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first cover and a second cover position an insulating module at a second location. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, identical or similar components are indicated by identical or similar reference numerals. The following description of various embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate the overall concept of this disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0037] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0038] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper part" and "lower part", "inner", and "outer" are defined according to the accompanying drawings, but the shape and position of the parts are not limited by these terms and can be adjusted according to the actual application.

[0039] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for describing exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or constrain this disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” “the” are also intended to include the plural forms. In this disclosure, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and similar terms are used to enumerate features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of said features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0040] Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe a variety of different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term “and / or” includes a combination of multiple related items or any one of multiple related items.

[0041] An electrical connector is provided according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which can enable electrical / signal connections between multiple electrical devices / electronic components. For example, the provided electrical connector can be used as a wire-end connector, such as a high-speed cable connector, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An electrical connector connected to a cable 1 is shown in the accompanying drawings, such as a plug or socket connector to be mounted on a circuit board 10 of an electrical device (not shown).

[0042] like Figure 1-9As shown, the electrical connector includes an insulating module 110 and a plurality of connection terminals 120 mounted on the insulating module 110. The insulating module 110 may be made of an insulating material such as plastic (e.g., molded) and may also be referred to as a housing, inner shell, or terminal mounting module or base in some applications. The insulating module 110 has a mating end 111 for mating with a mating connector (not shown) along a first direction X. The mating end 111 defines a cavity 1111. One end of the connection terminal 120 mounted or molded in the insulating module 110 may protrude from the cavity 1111 to electrically connect with the terminal of the mating connector. The other end of the connection terminal 120 may be electrically connected to a cable 1. The mating end 111 has an end face 1112 in the first direction X, i.e., the end face 1112 of the mating end 111 faces or is perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0043] In exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 1-3 As shown in Figures 5 and 7-9, the electrical connector also includes a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 formed independently of each other. The first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulating module 110 in a second direction Z (as shown in the figure, the vertical direction, or the thickness direction of the electrical connector) perpendicular to the first direction X, and are joined or engaged with each other to define a receiving cavity 101 therebetween, within which the insulating module 110 is at least partially positioned and received. In other words, the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, which are separate from each other, can be joined or engaged together to form an outer shell that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the insulating module 110. The first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may also be formed of an insulating material, for example, they may each have a generally plate-like profile with recessed inner surfaces, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] Therefore, unlike conventional connectors where the housing is molded onto an insulating module, the housing of the electrical connector provided by the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be formed by two independently formed covers joined together, eliminating the need for molding of the housing and thus avoiding the problem of plastic run-in into the soldering area of ​​the connector, thereby improving the SI performance of the electrical connector.

[0045] The insulating module 110, the first cover 130, and the second cover 140 generally define the outer contour of the electrical connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector generally has a flat profile; for example, the outer surfaces of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be generally flat for mounting on a circuit board, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, although in the illustrated embodiment, most of the insulating module 110 is housed and surrounded within the receiving cavity defined by the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, with only its mating end 111 exposed outside the housing, this disclosure is not limited thereto; for example, in other examples not shown, the mating end 111 may also be partially or completely positioned within the receiving cavity.

[0046] At least one of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 forming the housing may be provided with a mounting structure, through which the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted on the circuit board 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting structure is formed on the second cover 140, such as a mounting hole 141 extending through the second cover 140 in the second direction Z. Fasteners 151, such as screws, can be inserted into the mounting hole 141 and the hole 11 on the circuit board, thereby mounting or securing the interconnected first cover 130 and second cover 140 of the electrical connector, as well as the insulating module 110 positioned therein, to the circuit board 10.

[0047] As an example, such as Figure 1-3 As shown in Figures 5 and 7-9, mounting structures, such as mounting holes 141, can be formed in opposite sides of the second cover 140 on the third-direction Y-axis outside the insulating module 110. Notches 131, such as generally C-shaped or U-shaped openings, can be formed at corresponding positions on these two sides of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 to expose the mounting holes 141 and the heads of fasteners 151, thereby facilitating operation of fasteners 151 using tools (not shown). However, this disclosure is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, corresponding mounting structures can also be formed in the first cover. As an example, mounting holes 141 and holes 11 on the circuit board can include threaded holes, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as... Figure 1-2 As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 9, a fastening structure, such as a nut, that engages with a fastener 151 (e.g., a threaded connection) can be embedded in the mounting hole 141. As shown, a hole 145 communicating with the mounting hole 141 can be formed in the side or lateral portion of the second cover 140 to facilitate the placement or removal of a fastening structure such as a nut.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment according to this disclosure, the insulating module 110 has a module positioning structure provided or formed on each of two opposite surfaces in the second direction Z, and each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 has a cover positioning structure for engaging with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module 110 at different locations relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, such that the mounting distance between the mounting structure of the electrical connector (e.g., mounting hole 141) and the end face 1112 in the first direction X is adjustable. This mounting distance can represent the required or permissible space distance for mounting the electrical connector on a circuit board or similar structure. By adjusting this mounting distance by positioning the insulating module 110 at different locations relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the same electrical connector can meet different mounting space or position requirements without the need to manufacture or replace new electrical connectors, thus reducing costs.

[0049] In embodiments of this disclosure, the insulating module 110 may be positioned at two or more locations relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140. Figure 1 and 3 The illustration shows an insulating module 110 positioned at a first location relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140, wherein the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as mounting hole 141) has a first mounting distance D1 in a first direction X between it and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110. Figure 7-9 An insulating module 110 is illustrated in a second position relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140, wherein the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as mounting hole 141) has a second mounting distance D2 in a first direction X between it and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110. The second mounting distance D2 may be different from (e.g., greater than the first mounting distance D1), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] Various forms and / or arrangements of module positioning structures and cover positioning structures can be used to adjust the positioning position of the insulating module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140. Some embodiments of the module positioning structures and cover positioning structures will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] One of the cover positioning structures and module positioning structures used for interlocking or connecting may include a positioning hole, such as a round hole or a polygonal hole, and the other includes a positioning post adapted to be inserted into the positioning hole. The positioning hole may include a through hole or a blind hole. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover positioning structure includes a positioning hole (as shown in 132, 133), and the module positioning structure includes a positioning post (as shown in 142, 143), but the reverse is also true; alternatively, one part of the cover positioning structure is a positioning hole, and another part of the cover positioning structure is a positioning post, which also applies to the module positioning structure. Preferably, in the assembled state, the end face of the positioning post in the positioning hole is flush with or recessed into the outer surface of the corresponding cover.

[0052] In some embodiments, the module positioning structures formed or disposed on each of the two opposite surfaces (the upper and lower surfaces in the figure) of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z may include at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X, each row of module positioning structures being at a different distance from the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X. By engaging different rows of module positioning structures with corresponding cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the insulating module 110 can be positioned at different locations relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, thereby adjusting the aforementioned installation distance. Exemplarily, each row of module positioning structures may include two or more module positioning structures spaced apart (e.g., along a straight line or curve) in a third direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Z, so that the module positioning structures formed or disposed on the surface of the insulating module 110 can be arranged in an array. The module positioning structures in each row may be the same or different from each other in terms of structure or size (e.g., diameter), but all can engage or fit with the corresponding cover positioning structures.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating module 110 has a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X on each of two opposite surfaces in the second direction Z. The first row of module positioning structures includes two or more first module positioning structures 112 (e.g., positioning posts), and the second row of module positioning structures includes two or more second module positioning structures 113 (e.g., positioning posts), and as shown... Figure 3 and 8 As shown, the distance d1 between the first row module positioning structure and the end face 1112 in the first direction X is different from (e.g., less than) the distance d2 between the second row module positioning structure and the end face 1112 in the first direction X, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, each pair of adjacent rows of module positioning structures on each surface of the insulating module 110 may be spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction X, for example, as Figure 3and 8 As shown, the first row of module positioning structures is separated from the second row of module positioning structures by a first spacing L1; in addition, two adjacent module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures can be separated by the same second spacing L2 in the third direction Y, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and these spacings can be set appropriately according to positioning requirements.

[0055] Although in the illustrated embodiment, adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other along the first direction X, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, adjacent rows of module positioning structures may not be aligned in the first direction X, such as being offset or deviated from each other in the third direction Y.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the cover positioning structure of each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may include at least two rows of cover positioning structures in an assembled state in which the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are engaged with each other to position the insulating module 110 within the receiving cavity 101. Each row of cover positioning structures is spaced at a different distance from the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in a first direction X. Exemplarily, each row of cover positioning structures includes two or more cover positioning structures spaced apart (e.g., along a straight line or curve) in a third direction Y. Therefore, the cover positioning structures formed or disposed in each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be arranged in an array.

[0057] The cover positioning structures in each row may be the same or different from each other in terms of structure or size (e.g., diameter), but they can all engage or mate with the corresponding module positioning structures; preferably, each cover positioning structure is configured to engage or mate with each module positioning structure. Preferably, the number of rows of cover positioning structures formed on each cover can be the same as or different from the number of rows of module positioning structures formed on each surface of the insulating module, and the number of module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures can be the same as or different from the number of cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures. Thus, it is possible not only to adjust the positioning position of the insulating module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 in the first direction X, but also to adjust the positioning position of the insulating module 110 relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 in the third direction Y.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X are formed or disposed on the inner surface of the first cover 130 (the surface facing the insulating module 110). The first row of cover positioning structures includes two or more first cover positioning structures 132 (e.g., positioning holes), and the second row of cover positioning structures includes two or more second cover positioning structures 133 (e.g., positioning holes). A third row of cover positioning structures and a fourth row of cover positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction X are formed or disposed on the inner surface of the second cover 140 (the surface facing the insulating module 110). The third row of cover positioning structures includes two or more third cover positioning structures 142, and the fourth row of cover positioning structures includes two or more fourth cover positioning structures 143 (e.g., positioning posts). However, those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the number of rows of cover positioning structures for each cover may be greater than or less than the number of rows of module positioning structures on each surface of the insulating module, and / or the number of cover positioning structures per row may be greater than or less than the number of module positioning structures per row.

[0059] like Figure 3 In the assembly state shown, the first row of cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 is spaced d1 away from the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X, and the second row of cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 is spaced d2 away from the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X. The distance d1 is different from (e.g., less than) the distance d2. The arrangement of the cover positioning structures of the second cover 140 (e.g., the distance from the end face 112) can be the same as or similar to the arrangement of the cover positioning structures of the first cover (e.g., the distance mentioned above).

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, corresponding to the arrangement of the module positioning structures of the insulating module 110, adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be spaced apart by the same first spacing in the first direction X, for example, as Figure 3 and 8 As shown, the first or third row of cover positioning structures is spaced apart by a first distance L1 in the first direction X with the second or fourth row of cover positioning structures; in addition, two adjacent cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures may be spaced apart by the same second distance L2 in the third direction Y, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and these distances of the cover positioning structures can be appropriately set according to the positioning requirements and correspond to the arrangement and distance of the module positioning structures of the insulating module 110.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, for each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the adjacent rows of cover positioning structures are aligned with each other along the first direction X. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the adjacent rows of cover positioning structures may be misaligned in the first direction X, such as being offset or deviated from each other in the third direction Y.

[0062] As described above, by engaging or mating the different module positioning structures on the insulating module 110 with the corresponding cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, the insulating module 110 can be positioned at different locations relative to the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 fixed at the same position on the circuit board (and thus relative to the circuit board), thereby allowing the installation distance of the electrical connector to be adjusted according to the installation space requirements. Illustratively, Figure 1 and 3 The diagram illustrates an insulating module 110 positioned at a first position relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 in an assembled state. The first row cover positioning structure (132) and the third row cover positioning structure (142) are aligned and engaged with the first row module positioning structure (112) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z, respectively. The second row cover positioning structure (133) and the fourth row cover positioning structure (143) are aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structure (113) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z, respectively. At this time, the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141 formed in the second cover 140) has a first mounting distance D1 between it and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110 in the first direction X. Figure 7-9 The diagram illustrates an insulating module 110 positioned at a second position relative to a first cover 130 and a second cover 140 in an assembled state. The first row cover positioning structure (132) and the third row cover positioning structure (142) are aligned and engaged in the second direction Z with the second row module positioning structure (113) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 that is farther from the end face 1112, respectively. The first row module positioning structure (112) on the two surfaces of the insulating module 110 that is closer to the end face 1112 is not engaged with any cover positioning structure. At this time, the mounting structure of the electrical connector (such as the mounting hole 141) has a second mounting distance D2 in the first direction X between it and the end face 1112 of the insulating module 110. The second mounting distance D2 can be greater than the first mounting distance D1.

[0063] The above describes exemplary structures and arrangements of the cover positioning structures of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140, as well as the module positioning structure of the insulating module 110. The accompanying drawings show the use of a hole-post fit between the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure to achieve different positioning positions of the insulating module relative to the cover. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments not shown, a sliding fit connection or a snap-fit ​​connection can be made between the cover and the insulating module to change the installation distance.

[0064] In some embodiments of this disclosure, each of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can be arranged on each of two opposite surfaces of the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z, i.e., the positions of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 relative to the insulating module 110 in the second direction Z are interchangeable, allowing the electrical connector to be switched between different configurations (e.g., mounting orientation) suitable for mounting on the circuit board 10. Exemplarily, Figure 7 An electrical connector is schematically shown mounted on a circuit board 10 positioned below in a first configuration, wherein a first cover 130 is disposed on one of two opposite surfaces of an insulating module 110 in a second direction Z (such as the upper surface), and a second cover 140 is disposed on the other opposite surface of the insulating module 110 (such as the lower surface). Figure 9 An electrical connector is schematically shown to be mounted on a circuit board 10 positioned above in a second configuration, wherein a first cover 130 is disposed on the other surface (below surface) of the insulating module 110, and a second cover 140 is disposed on the opposite surface (below surface) of the insulating module 110. Figure 7 and 9 As can be seen, although the positions of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 are reversed, the orientation or mounting direction of the insulating module 110 remains unchanged, as indicated by the indicator arrow 102. Therefore, by using the electrical connector provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, different directional mounting requirements can be met simply by changing the positions of the first and second covers, without the need to manufacture or replace new electrical connectors, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, this configuration change facilitates user operation of the fastener 152 to mount the electrical connector onto the circuit board.

[0065] Exemplarily, the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 can be detachably assembled and secured together to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the insulating module 110 and the connecting terminal 120 therein. For example, one of the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may be formed with a coupling hole, and the other cover may be formed with a resilient arm adapted to snap into the coupling hole. In the illustrated embodiment, a resilient arm 134 is formed on the first cover 130, and a coupling hole 144 is formed in the second cover 140. The resilient arm 134 can be inserted into and locked into the coupling hole 144 to reliably hold the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 together to form the outer housing of the electrical connector. In some examples, the resilient arm 134 may be formed on opposite sides of the notch 131 and extend toward the second cover 140 in the second direction Z, while the coupling hole 144 is formed in the side of the second cover 140, on both sides of the mounting hole 141, but the positions of the resilient arm and the coupling hole are not limited thereto.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1-2 As shown in 5, 7 and 9, the resilient arm 134 may include a body and a hook 1341 located at the end of the body, and the connecting hole 144 may include two parts, the first part passing at least partially through the second cover 140 in the second direction Z, and the second part 1441 passing at least partially through the second cover 140 laterally (as in the first direction or the third direction) to communicate with the first part, the body of the resilient arm 134 being at least partially inserted into the first part of the connecting hole 144, and the hook 1341 of the resilient arm 134 engaging into the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144, such as by locking against the inner wall of the second part 1441 of the connecting hole 144, thereby restricting the movement of the first cover 130 relative to the second cover 140 in the assembled state. When disassembling the electrical connector, a tool (not shown) can be inserted into the second part 1441 of the connection hole 144 to push the hook 1341 of the elastic arm 134, causing the hook 1341 to disengage from the second part 1441 of the connection hole 144, thereby separating the elastic arm 134 from the connection hole 144, and thus separating the first cover 130 and the second cover 140.

[0067] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations (such as different combinations of embodiments or features) may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. Additionally, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: An insulating module (110) has a mating end (111) for engaging with a mating connector in a first direction (X), the mating end (111) having an end face (1112) in the first direction (X); Multiple connection terminals (120) are installed within the insulating module (110); as well as A first cover (130) and a second cover (140) are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the insulating module (110) in a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the first direction (X). The first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are joined together to define a receiving cavity (101) therebetween, in which the insulating module (110) is at least partially positioned and received. At least one of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) has a mounting structure, and the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted on a circuit board (10) via the mounting structure. The insulating module (110) has a module positioning structure on each of two opposite surfaces in the second direction (Z), and each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) has a cover positioning structure configured to engage with the module positioning structure to position the insulating module (110) at different locations relative to the first cover (130) and the second cover (140), such that the mounting distance between the mounting structure and the end face (1112) in the first direction (X) is adjustable.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein, The different positions include at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the mounting structure and the end face (1112) have a first mounting distance (D1) in the first direction (X). In the second position, the mounting structure and the end face (1112) have a second mounting distance (D2) in the first direction (X) that is greater than the first mounting distance (D1).

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein, The module positioning structure includes at least two rows of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction (X), each row of module positioning structures being at a different distance from the end face (1112) in the first direction (X), and Each row of module positioning structures includes two or more module positioning structures spaced apart in a third direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X) and the second direction (Z).

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein, The adjacent rows of module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same first spacing (L1) in the first direction (X), and In each row of module positioning structures, two adjacent module positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second spacing (L2) in the third direction (Y).

5. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein, The adjacent rows of module positioning structures are aligned with each other in the first direction (X) or staggered from each other in the third direction (Y).

6. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein, The cover positioning structure of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) includes at least two rows of cover positioning structures. In the assembled state where the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are engaged with each other to position the insulating module (110) within the receiving cavity (101), each row of cover positioning structures is spaced at a different distance from the end face (1112) in the first direction (X), and Each row of cap positioning structures includes two or more cap positioning structures spaced apart in the third direction (Y).

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein, The adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are spaced apart by the same first spacing (L1) in the first direction (X), and In each row of cover positioning structures, two adjacent cover positioning structures are spaced apart by the same second spacing (L2) in the third direction (Y).

8. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein, The adjacent rows of cover positioning structures of each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) are aligned with each other in the first direction (X) or staggered with each other in the third direction (Y).

9. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein, Each cover positioning structure is configured to engage with the positioning structures of each module.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein, The number of rows in the at least two-row cover positioning structure is the same as the number of rows in the at least two-row module positioning structure.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein, The number of module positioning structures in each row of module positioning structures may be the same as or different from the number of cover positioning structures in each row of cover positioning structures.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein, The at least two rows of module positioning structures disposed on each of the two surfaces include a first row of module positioning structures and a second row of module positioning structures spaced apart in the first direction (X), the first row of module positioning structures including two or more first module positioning structures (112), and the second row of module positioning structures including two or more second module positioning structures (113). The distance (d1) between the first row module positioning structure and the end face (1112) in the first direction (X) is less than the distance (d2) between the second row module positioning structure and the end face (1112) in the first direction (X).

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein, The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the first cover (130) include a first row of cover positioning structures and a second row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the first cover and spaced apart in the first direction (X). The first row of cover positioning structures includes two or more first cover positioning structures (132), and the second row of cover positioning structures includes two or more second cover positioning structures (133). The at least two rows of cover positioning structures of the second cover (140) include a third row of cover positioning structures and a fourth row of cover positioning structures formed on the inner surface of the second cover and spaced apart in the first direction (X). The third row of cover positioning structures includes two or more third cover positioning structures (142), and the fourth row of cover positioning structures includes two or more fourth cover positioning structures (143). In the assembled state and at the first position, the first row cover positioning structure and the third row cover positioning structure are aligned and engaged with the first row module positioning structure on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z), respectively; the second row cover positioning structure and the fourth row cover positioning structure are aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structure on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z), respectively. In the assembled state and at the second position, the first row cover positioning structure and the third row cover positioning structure are aligned and engaged with the second row module positioning structures on the two surfaces in the second direction (Z).

14. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein, Each of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is configured to be arranged on each of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module (110).

15. The electrical connector according to claim 14, wherein, The electrical connector is capable of switching between a first configuration and a second configuration suitable for mounting on the circuit board (10). In the first configuration, the first cover (130) is disposed on one of the two opposite surfaces of the insulating module (110), and the second cover (140) is disposed on the other surface. In the second configuration, the first cover (130) is disposed on the other surface, and the second cover (140) is disposed on the first surface.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 15, wherein, One of the cover positioning structure and the module positioning structure includes a positioning hole, and the other includes a positioning post adapted to be inserted into the positioning hole.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein, The mounting structure includes a mounting hole (141) formed through the second cover (140) in the second direction (Z), and the electrical connector is adapted to be mounted to the circuit board via a fastener (151) inserted into the mounting hole.

18. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 3-13, wherein, The mounting structure is formed on two opposite sides of the second cover (140) in the third direction (Y), outside the insulating module (110).

19. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-13 and 15-17, wherein, One of the first cover (130) and the second cover (140) is formed with a connecting hole, and the other is formed with an elastic arm adapted to snap into the connecting hole.

20. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-13 and 15-17, wherein the electrical connector is a wire-end connector adapted to electrically connect a cable (1) via the connection terminal.

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