Connector assembly for automotive applications and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector assembly comprising a female connector (2) comprising two female terminals (21, 22), a female dielectric member (24) guiding and separating the female terminals (21, 22), and a female external contact (23) surrounding the female dielectric member (24) and the female terminals (21, 22); and a male mating connector (3) comprising two male terminals (31, 32), a male dielectric member (34) guiding and separating the male terminals (31, 32), and a male external contact (33) surrounding the male dielectric member (34) and the male terminals (31, 32), the male mating connector (3) being mateable with the female connector (2), in which when the female connector (2) and the male mating connector (3) are mated, the male mating connector (3) is electrically connected to the male dielectric member (34). Each female terminal (21, 22) is in contact with a corresponding male terminal (31, 32), wherein the distance between the female terminals (21, 22) is less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector assembly for automotive applications, particularly for multi-GHz applications, comprising a male connector and a female connector. Specifically, this invention relates to a connector suitable for… Connector assembly for (high-speed modular twisted-pair data).

[0002] The present invention also relates to methods for manufacturing these connectors. Background Technology

[0003] The so-called It is a registered trademark of "Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik Gmbh & Co.KG". The connector of the system is designed to allow data transmission up to 15 GHz or 20 GHz.

[0004] The system's applications include 4K camera systems, autonomous driving, radar, lidar, high-resolution displays, and rear-seat entertainment devices.

[0005] Next-generation automotive data connectivity applications require a connector assembly. This connector assembly must be miniaturized, meaning smaller than current models. The assembly is smaller and suitable for automotive internet applications: 100 / 1000Base-T1 and 2.5 / 5 / 10 / 25G Base-T1. Due to the higher frequencies, the connector assembly must be fully shielded to ensure excellent electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance. The connector assembly must be compatible with shielded twisted pair / shielded parallel plate (STP / SPP) cables. A simpler method is also needed to manufacture the connector for this connector assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention proposes an innovative solution to this problem.

[0007] This invention relates to a connector assembly, comprising a female connector including two female terminals, a female dielectric element, and a female external contact, the female dielectric element guiding and separating the female terminals, and the female external contact surrounding the female dielectric element and the female terminals; and a male mating connector including two male terminals, a male dielectric element, and a male external contact, the male dielectric element guiding and separating the male terminals, and the male external contact surrounding the male dielectric element and the male terminals, the male mating connector being capable of mating with the female connector, wherein when the female connector and the male mating connector are mated, each female terminal contacts a corresponding male terminal, wherein the distance between the female terminals is less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

[0008] Some specific features or implementation methods that can be used alone or in combination include:

[0009] - The female external contact shows an asymmetrical female transverse profile relative to the plane passing through the female terminal, and the male external contact shows a male transverse profile complementary to the female transverse profile for contact mating.

[0010] The female external contact is conductive and grounded to provide shielding. The male external contact is conductive and grounded to provide shielding.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a female connector, comprising the following steps: providing a cable including two conductors; stripping a first conductor; providing two female terminals; assembling the first female terminal and the first conductor together by pressing and welding them between two electrodes; rotating the assembly including the first female terminal and the first conductor clockwise by 90°; stripping a second conductor; assembling the second female terminal and the second conductor together by pressing and welding them between two electrodes; and rotating the assembly including the second female terminal and the second conductor counterclockwise by 90° so that the two female terminals are opposite each other and located between the two conductors.

[0012] The method further includes: inserting a female dielectric element onto two female terminals, inserting an open female external contact element onto the female dielectric element, making the grounding braid of the cable contact the female external contact element, and pressing the female external contact element to close it around the cable.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a male connector, comprising the following steps: providing two male terminals, inserting a male dielectric element into the two male terminals, inserting an open male external contact element into the male dielectric element, closing the male external contact element by folding the rear portion of the male external contact element behind the male dielectric element, inserting a male housing into the male external contact element, and placing a male clamping element on the male housing and the male external contact element. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the female connector is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the female connector.

[0017] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the female connector along the longitudinal axis.

[0018] Figure 4 A perspective view showing details of the end of the female external contact element.

[0019] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the male connector is shown.

[0020] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 A perspective view of the male connector in the image.

[0021] Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 A side sectional view of the male connector along the longitudinal axis.

[0022] Figure 8 It shows Figure 5 Top sectional view of the male connector along the longitudinal axis.

[0023] Figures 9-12 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the initial sequential steps of the female connector.

[0024] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A top view of the steps.

[0025] Figure 14 A side view of the first step of the welding process is shown.

[0026] Figure 15 The front view shows the first step of the welding process.

[0027] Figure 16 The front view shows the second step of the welding process.

[0028] Figures 17-20 A side view shows the final steps in manufacturing the female connector.

[0029] Figures 21-24 A perspective view showing the steps involved in manufacturing the female connector.

[0030] Figure 25 A top sectional view of the assembled connector is shown.

[0031] Figure 26 The front view of the assembled connector is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] One object of the present invention is a connector assembly 1. The connector assembly 1 includes a female connector 2 and a male mating connector 3 that are capable of mating with each other.

[0033] like Figures 1-4As shown, the female connector 2 includes two female terminals 21 and 22, a female dielectric element 24, and a female external contact 23. The female dielectric element 24 guides and separates the female terminals 21 and 22, and the female external contact 23 surrounds both the female dielectric element 24 and the female terminals 21 and 22. The female terminals 21 and 22 are conductive and carry electrical signals respectively. The female dielectric element 24 is insulating. Its function is to support and guide the female terminals 21 and 22 and separate them so that they cannot directly contact each other. The female external contact 23 assembles with and surrounds the other components of the female connector 2.

[0034] like Figures 5-8 As shown, the male mating connector 3 includes two male terminals 31 and 32, a male dielectric element 34, and a male external contact 33. The male dielectric element 34 guides and separates the male terminals 31 and 32. The male external contact 33 surrounds both the male dielectric element 34 and the male terminals 31 and 32. The male terminals 31 and 32 are conductive and carry electrical signals respectively. The male dielectric element 34 is insulating. Its function is to support and guide the male terminals 31 and 32 and separate them so that they cannot make direct contact. The male external contact 33 assembles with and surrounds the other components of the male mating connector 3.

[0035] The male connector 3 and the female connector 2 can mate with each other. When the female connector 2 and the male connector 3 mate, each female terminal 21, 22 contacts the corresponding male terminal 31, 32.

[0036] According to an important feature, the distance between the female terminals 21 and 22 is less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

[0037] To achieve a small pitch of 0.6mm, both the female connector 2 and the male mating connector 3 must be significantly miniaturized.

[0038] According to another feature, the female external contact 23 shows a female transverse profile 232 that is asymmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the female terminals 21, 22. Complementarily, the male external contact 33 shows a male transverse profile 332 that is complementary to the female transverse profile 232. Therefore, the profiles 232, 332 allow the female connector 2 and the male mating connector 3 to mate. The complementary profiles 232, 332 allow for non-deceptive mating because they can only mate in one direction and not in other directions. The profiles 232, 332 together serve a keying function. The complementary profiles 232, 332 can be any asymmetrical shape. In the embodiment shown, the complementary profile can be a square with two corners truncated on the same side with respect to the plane.

[0039] In addition, such as Figure 4 , Figure 23 and Figure 25As shown in the details, the female external contact 23 and the male external contact 33 are designed to form a tight contact between them. This is achieved through their respective complementary shapes. This can also be accomplished by using blades 234, which give the female external contact 23 elasticity, allowing it to be compressed around the male external contact 33, particularly its distal end 332. The tight contact is reinforced by knurled portions 233, 333 located on either or both of the respective surfaces of the external contacts 23, 33.

[0040] According to another feature, the female external contact 23 is conductive and grounded. This allows the female external contact 23 to act as a shield. Similarly, the male external contact 33 is conductive and grounded. This allows the male external contact 33 to act as a shield. To achieve this, the external contacts 23 and 33 are made of a metallic material. Alternatively, they can be made of plastic with an insert or coating of conductive material. This feature is particularly noteworthy in environments carrying high-frequency signals.

[0041] Another object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing such a female connector 2. The method mainly involves... Figures 9-20 As shown in the diagram. In the described embodiment, the female connector 2 is intended to be connected to the cable 4.

[0042] Alternatively, the female connector 2 can be mounted on a circuit board after some minor modifications.

[0043] The method for manufacturing the female connector 2 includes the following steps:

[0044] The first step is to provide cable 4. Cable 4 comprises two conductors 41 and 42. Cable 4 is preferably a shielded twisted pair / shielded parallel plate (STP / SPP) cable. The pitch of this cable, i.e., the distance between its two conductors 41 and 42, is typically equal to 0.6 mm. Cable 4 includes a separate insulator 46 around each conductor 41 and 42. Around the insulator 46, it includes a dielectric element 44 isolated from a ground braid 43. Around the dielectric element is the ground braid 43. Surrounding the ground braid 43, and thus surrounding all components, is a sheath 45. The sheath 45 is insulating and provides mechanical protection.

[0045] In the second step, the first conductor 41, and possibly the second conductor 42, are stripped. To do this, the cable 4 is stripped at its end by removing a portion of the sheath 45 required for assembly with the female connector 2. The grounding braid 43 is exposed for the same length but is left in place. The dielectric 44 is typically stripped for the same length. Finally, the first conductor 41, or both conductors 41 and 42, are typically detached from their respective insulators 46 for the same length.

[0046] In the third step, two female terminals 21 and 22 are provided.

[0047] In the fourth step, the first female terminal 21 is assembled with the first wire 41. This is accomplished by pressing and welding the first female terminal 21 and the first wire 41 between the two electrodes 51 and 52. The result is as follows: Figure 9 As shown.

[0048] This step is in Figures 14-16 This is shown in more detail below. For example... Figures 14-15 As shown, the first female terminal 21 is adjacent to the now-stripped first conductor 41. The first female terminal 21 includes a generally flat portion at its proximal end 211. The flat proximal end 211 is positioned to contact the first conductor 41, generally centered, to form an assembly (kit). The first female terminal 21 is positioned parallel to the plane through which the two conductors 41, 42 pass. Two electrodes 51, 52 are positioned on either side of the assembly, one on each side, relative to the plane.

[0049] Two electrodes 51 and 52 are firmly pressed together around an assembly including a first female terminal 21 and a first conductor 41. A high-intensity current is established between the two electrodes 51 and 52. This high-intensity current generates a temperature rise between the two electrodes 51 and 52. The high temperature causes at least a portion of the first conductor 41 and the first female terminal 21 to melt at least at their proximal ends 211. This melting: firstly, causes the first conductor 41 to weld to the first female terminal 21; secondly, allows for forging, primarily forging the first conductor 41. The electrodes 51 and 52 are shaped to forge the assembly. Finally, the assembled section presents a flat, disc-like shape.

[0050] In this way, two results are achieved in a single process operation: the first conductor 41 and the first female terminal 21 are permanently assembled together, and the thickness of the assembly is significantly reduced.

[0051] It has been found that the extrusion and welding operations are accomplished by moving electrodes 51 and 52 substantially perpendicular to the plane passing through the two wires 41 and 42. This is primarily due to the necessary space required for the operation of electrodes 51 and 52. However, thickness reduction is useful in the transverse direction, which is the direction through the two wires 41 and 42.

[0052] Therefore, in the fifth step, the assembly comprising the first female terminal 21 and the first conductor 41 is rotated 90° clockwise. Here, clockwise means that when looking at the female connector 2 from its proximal end (i.e., from the cable end or the end opposite the mating end), the first conductor 41 is on the right. This rotation is applied to the assembly along with the individual insulator 46 of the first conductor 41. This rotation causes the first female terminal 21 to terminate between the two conductors 41 and 42. The result of this rotation step is... Figure 10 It is specifically shown in the text.

[0053] After this, the same process is applied to the second conductor 42 and the second female terminal 22.

[0054] In the sixth step, if the second conductor 42 has not yet been stripped, it is stripped to remove its individual insulator 46.

[0055] In step seven, the second female terminal 22 is assembled with the second wire 42. This is accomplished by pressing and soldering them between the two electrodes 51 and 52. The result is as follows: Figure 11 As shown.

[0056] This step is in Figures 14-16 This is shown in more detail below. For example... Figures 14-15 As shown, the second female terminal 22 is adjacent to the now-stripped second conductor 42. The second female terminal 22 includes a generally flat portion at its proximal end 221. The flat proximal end 221 is positioned to contact the first conductor 42, generally centered, to form an assembly (kit). The second female terminal 22 is parallel to the plane passing through the two conductors 41, 42. Two electrodes 51, 52 are positioned on either side of the assembly, one on each side, relative to the plane.

[0057] Two electrodes 51 and 52 are firmly pressed together around an assembly including a second female terminal 22 and a second conductor 42. A high-intensity current is established between the two electrodes 51 and 52. This high-intensity current generates a temperature rise between the two electrodes 51 and 52. The high temperature causes the second conductor 42 and the second female terminal 22 to at least partially melt at their ends 221. This melting: firstly, causes the second conductor 42 to weld to the second female terminal 22; secondly, allows for forging, primarily forging the second conductor 42. The electrodes 51 and 52 are shaped to forge the assembly. Finally, the assembled section presents a flat, disc-like shape.

[0058] In this way, two results are achieved in a single process operation: the second conductor 42 and the second female terminal 22 are durablely assembled together, and the thickness of the assembly is significantly reduced.

[0059] It has been found that the extrusion and welding operations are accomplished by moving electrodes 51 and 52 substantially perpendicular to the plane passing through the two wires 41 and 42. This is primarily due to the necessary space required for the operation of electrodes 51 and 52. However, thickness reduction is useful in the transverse direction, which is along the plane passing through the two wires 41 and 42.

[0060] Therefore, in step eight, the assembly including the second female terminal 22 and the second conductor 42 is rotated 90° counterclockwise. Here, counterclockwise refers to the direction when viewed from the proximal end of the female connector 2, i.e., from the cable end or the end opposite the mating end. This rotation is applied to the assembly, along with the individual insulator 46 of the second conductor 42. This rotation causes the second female terminal 22 to terminate between the two conductors 41 and 42. The result of this rotation step is... Figure 12 and Figure 13 It is specifically shown in the text.

[0061] like Figure 13 As specifically shown at the top, the two female terminals 21, 22 are opposite each other and located between the two wires 41, 42.

[0062] According to another feature, the manufacturing of the female connector 2 continues with the following steps.

[0063] In step nine, the female dielectric component 24 is fitted onto the two female terminals 21 and 22. This is in... Figure 17 and Figure 18 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 17 The preparation process is shown, while Figure 18 The insertion result is shown. The insertion is typically performed by translation along the axis of the female connector. The female dielectric 24 advantageously includes two recesses, each capable of receiving one of the two female terminals 21, 22. In these recesses, toothed portions are configured to receive corresponding teeth 213, 223 belonging to the two female terminals 21, 22, respectively. This requires forceful insertion of the female terminals 21, 22 and ensures that the female dielectric 24 is securely clamped around the female terminals 21, 22. These recesses, cooperating with the teeth 213, 223, also function as stops to halt insertion and define the longitudinal position of the female terminals 21, 22 relative to the female dielectric 24 along the female conductor axis.

[0064] In step ten, the open female external contact 23 is fitted onto the female dielectric component 24. This is in Figures 18-20 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 18 The preparation process is shown; Figure 19 The results of the insertion are shown, and Figure 20 The final result is shown. The insertion is typically performed by translating along the axis of the female connector. The female external contact 23 is initially open. The female external contact 23 includes two ears 231 at its proximal end. The ears 231 are initially open to allow the female external contact 23 to be opened.

[0065] At the base of the ear portion 231, the female external contact 23 includes a reduced cross-section portion forming a first stop portion 235. The female dielectric portion 24 includes a complementary reduced cross-section portion forming a second stop portion 245 complementary to the first stop portion 235. The two stops portions 235 and 245 cooperate to define the longitudinal position of the female external contact 23 relative to the female dielectric portion 24 and maintain that position in at least one direction.

[0066] In the eleventh step, the grounding braid 43 of the cable 4, which was previously reserved in the stripping step, is brought into contact with the inside of the female external contact 23 to achieve electrical contact.

[0067] In step twelf, the female external contact 23 is closed. This is accomplished by crimping the lug 231 around the cable 4 and the ground braid 43. This step assembles the female external contact 23 with the cable 4. This assembly also protects the female dielectric 24. This step completes the female connector 2. The result is as follows: Figure 20 As shown.

[0068] Another object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing such a male mating connector 3. The method mainly involves... Figures 21-24 As shown in the diagram. In the described embodiment, the male mating connector 3 is intended to be mounted and connected to the circuit board.

[0069] Alternatively, the male-to-female connector 3 can be connected to a cable with some minor modifications.

[0070] The method for manufacturing the male mating connector 3 includes the following steps.

[0071] In the first step, two male terminals 31 and 32 are provided.

[0072] The male terminals 31 and 32 include at least one pin 311 and 312 to allow them to be assembled and connected to the circuit board.

[0073] In the second step, the male dielectric component 34 is fitted onto the two male terminals 31 and 32. This is in Figure 21 and Figure 22 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 21 The preparation process is shown, while Figure 22The insertion result is shown. The insertion is performed by translational movement approximately along the axis of the female connector. The male dielectric 34 advantageously includes two recesses, each capable of receiving one of the two male terminals 31, 32. In the recesses, toothed portions are configured to receive corresponding teeth 313, 323 belonging to the two male terminals 31, 32, respectively. This requires forceful insertion of the male terminals 31, 32 and ensures that the male dielectric 34 is securely clamped around the male terminals 31, 32. These recesses, in cooperation with the teeth 313, 323, also function as stops to halt insertion and define the longitudinal position of the male terminals 31, 32 relative to the male dielectric 34 along the male conductor axis.

[0074] In the third step, the open male external contact 33 is fitted onto the male dielectric component 34. This is in Figure 22 – Figure 23 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 22 The preparation process is shown. Figure 23 The final result is shown. The insertion is performed by translation approximately along the axis of the male connector. The male external contact 33 is initially open. The male external contact 23 includes a rear portion 331 at its proximal end, which is initially open and generally aligned with the rest of the male external contact 33.

[0075] At the base of the rear portion 331, the male external contact 33 includes a reduced cross-section portion forming a first stop portion 335. The male dielectric member 34 includes a complementary reduced cross-section portion forming a second stop portion 345 complementary to the first stop portion 335. The two stops portions 335 and 345 cooperate to define the longitudinal position of the male external contact 33 relative to the male dielectric member 34 and maintain that position in at least one direction.

[0076] In the fourth step, the male external contact 33 is closed. This is done by folding the rear portion 331 of the male external contact 33, typically at a 90° angle, behind the male dielectric component 34. This step assembles the male external contact 33 and the male dielectric component 34. The result is as follows... Figure 23 As shown on the right. The male external contact 33 includes four pins 334, typically arranged on a square, and a center pin 335 made of the same material as the male external contact 33. The pins 334 and 335 are intended to attach the male external contact 33 and the entire male mating connector 3 to the circuit board and electrically connect it to the circuit board's ground.

[0077] In the fifth step, the male outer shell 35 is fitted onto the male external contact 33. This is in... Figure 23 – Figure 24 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 23 The preparation process is shown. Figure 24The final result is shown. The insertion is performed by translating approximately along the axis of the male connector. The proximal end of the male housing 35 abuts longitudinally against the rear portion 331 and / or pin 334 of the male external contact 33.

[0078] In the sixth step, the male clamping member 36 is placed on the male outer shell 35 and the male external contact member 33. This is in Figure 24 and Figure 6 It is specifically shown in the text. Figure 24 The preparation process is shown. Figure 6 The final result is shown. The placement was achieved by translating the male clamping member 36 from top to bottom along a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the male connector.

[0079] While the male external contact 33 is preferably conductive to provide shielding, the male housing 35 and the male clamping member 36 are not necessarily conductive. They can both be made of plastic or metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 35 is plastic and the clamping member 36 is metal.

[0080] The male housing 35 includes a number of tabs 351, 352, or recesses that mate with corresponding recesses 361, 362 or tabs on the male clamping member 36. The tabs or recesses are preferably capable of engaging with each other. For example, as shown, the male clamping member 36 includes a central top recess 361 that cooperatively accommodates a central top tab 351 on the proximal end of the male housing 35. The male clamping member 36 also includes two lateral bottom recesses 362 that cooperatively accommodate corresponding lateral bottom tabs 352 on the proximal end of the male housing 35.

[0081] The male clamping member 36 also includes at least one pin 363, three in the illustrated embodiment: two lateral and one rearward. The pins 363 are press-fit type. They are not intended to transmit signals, nor are they soldered onto the circuit board. They are only intended to mechanically attach the male clamping member 36 to the circuit board by pressing the press-fit pins 363 into corresponding holes on the circuit board.

[0082] The placement of the male clamping member 36 holds the male housing 35 in place and completes the manufacturing of the male mating connector 3.

[0083] Figure 25 , Figure 26 The mating of the female connector 2 and the male mating connector 3 is shown from the top and front views, respectively. It can be seen that the corresponding female terminals 21, 22 are in close contact with the corresponding male terminals 31, 32. It can also be seen that the contact extends along the length of the connector. The contact length of each mating terminal 21, 31, 22, 32 is at least 1.75 mm.

[0084] While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but can be embodied and practiced in various ways within the scope of the following claims.

[0085] List of reference numerals

[0086] 1: Connector assembly,

[0087] 2: Female connector,

[0088] 21: First female terminal,

[0089] 211: Proximal end,

[0090] 212: Remote,

[0091] 213: teeth,

[0092] 22: Second female terminal,

[0093] 221: Proximal end,

[0094] 222: Remote,

[0095] 223: Teeth

[0096] 23: External contact parts of the mother,

[0097] 231: Ears

[0098] 232: Outline

[0099] 233: Knurled part,

[0100] 234: Leaf blade

[0101] 235: Stop section,

[0102] 24: Mother dielectric element,

[0103] 241: Proximal end,

[0104] 242: Remote,

[0105] 245: Stop section,

[0106] 3: Male connector,

[0107] 31: First male terminal,

[0108] 311: Pin,

[0109] 313: teeth,

[0110] 32: Second male terminal,

[0111] 321: Pin,

[0112] 323: teeth

[0113] 33: External contact parts,

[0114] 331: Proximal end,

[0115] 332: Outline

[0116] 333: Knurled part,

[0117] 334: Pin,

[0118] 335: Center pin,

[0119] 34: Public dielectric components,

[0120] 341: Proximal end,

[0121] 342: Remote,

[0122] 35: Male outer shell,

[0123] 351: Central convex plate,

[0124] 352: Transverse convex plate,

[0125] 36: Male clamping parts,

[0126] 361: Center recess,

[0127] 362: Horizontal concave portion,

[0128] 363: Pressure fitting pin,

[0129] 4: Cable,

[0130] 41: First conductor,

[0131] 42: Second conductor,

[0132] 43: Grounding braided layer,

[0133] 44: Dielectric components,

[0134] 45: Sheath,

[0135] 46: Insulator,

[0136] 51: Upper electrode,

[0137] 52: Lower electrode.

Claims

1. A connector assembly (1) comprising a female connector (2) comprising two female terminals (21, 22), a female dielectric (24) guiding and separating the female terminals (21, 22), and a female outer contact (23) surrounding the female dielectric (24) and the female terminals (21, 22), and a male counterpart connector (3) comprising two male terminals (31, 32), a male dielectric (34) guiding and separating the male terminals (31, 32), and a male outer contact (33) surrounding the male dielectric (34) and the male terminals (31, 32), the male counterpart connector (3) being mateable with the female connector (2), wherein each female terminal (21, 22) is in contact with a respective male terminal (31, 32) when the female connector (2) and the male counterpart connector (3) are mated, characterized in that, The distance between the female terminals (21, 22) is less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

2. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The female outer contact (23) exhibits a female transverse profile that is asymmetric with respect to a plane passing through the female terminals (21, 22), the male outer contact (33) exhibits a male transverse profile that is complementary to the female transverse profile, so as to make a contact fit.

3. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The female outer contact (23) is electrically conductive and grounded, so as to act as a shield, and wherein the male outer contact (33) is electrically conductive and grounded, so as to act as a shield.

4. A method of manufacturing a female connector (2), comprising the steps of: - providing a cable (4) comprising two wires (41, 42); - stripping the first wire (41); - providing two female terminals (21, 22); - assembling the first female terminal (21) with the first wire (41) by crimping and soldering between two electrodes (51, 52); - rotating the assembly comprising the first female terminal (21) and the first wire (41) by 90° clockwise; - stripping the second wire (42); - assembling the second female terminal (22) with the second wire (42) by crimping and soldering between two electrodes (51, 52); - rotating the assembly comprising the second female terminal (22) and the second wire (42) by 90° counter-clockwise; so that the two female terminals (21, 22) are opposite to each other and between the two wires (41, 42).

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: - inserting a female dielectric (24) over the two female terminals (21, 22); - inserting an open female outer contact (23) over the female dielectric (24); - contacting a ground braid (43) of the cable (4) with the female outer contact (23); - crimping the female outer contact (23) so as to close it around the cable (4).

6. A method of manufacturing a male connector (3), comprising the steps of: - providing two male terminals (31, 32); - inserting a male dielectric (34) over the two male terminals (31, 32); - inserting an open male outer contact (33) over the male dielectric (34); - closing the male outer contact (33) by folding a back portion (332) of the male outer contact (33) behind the male dielectric (34); - inserting a male outer housing (35) over the male outer contact (33); - placing a male crimping piece (36) over the male outer housing (35) and the male outer contact (33).

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