Connector and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic products, and discloses a connector and electronic equipment. The connector comprises a plug module and a socket module, wherein the plug module comprises a plug metal base and a plug terminal located in the plug metal base; the socket module comprises a flexible conductive assembly, a socket metal base and a socket terminal located in the socket metal base, the flexible conductive assembly is arranged on the side, close to the plug metal base, of the socket metal base, the flexible conductive assembly comprises a flexible frame and a conductive medium located in the flexible frame, the flexible frame is provided with an avoiding hole, and the socket terminal is located in the socket metal base. The conducting medium ring is arranged in the avoiding hole; when the plug metal base is connected to the socket metal base, the socket terminal penetrates through the avoiding hole and is electrically connected to the plug terminal, and the flexible frame body is located between the plug metal base and the socket metal base. The differential pair is completely isolated, a common potential surface is formed, crosstalk is optimized, signal transmission quality is improved, excellent transmission performance is ensured, and the production cost of the flexible conductive assembly is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic products, and in particular to a connector and an electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] AI and machine learning applications require high-speed transmission links to meet the requirements of 112 Gbps and 224 Gbps transmission rates. As the requirement for transmission rate increases, the requirement for enhancing signal integrity and reducing signal loss in a direct-chip communication channel is also more stringent. Compared with traditional PCB wiring, near-chip high-speed modules can provide a solution with better SI performance. These connections use low-loss dual-axis cables to increase the speed to 112G or 224G, and use innovative shielding technology to reduce signal attenuation while expanding the range of use in the box. There are two structure types for such application scenarios, one-piece and two-piece, but the two-piece structure mode has a gap between the plug and the socket interface, which leads to incomplete lapping, resulting in crosstalk deterioration and even obvious resonance in the frequency band used by the high-speed connector, increasing the possibility of link noise and distortion.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a connector and an electronic device to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0004] Based on the above, the purpose of the present application is to provide a connector and an electronic device that ensures complete isolation of differential pairs, forms a common potential surface, optimizes crosstalk, improves signal transmission quality, and reduces the production cost of flexible conductive components.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0006] On the one hand, a connector is provided, comprising:

[0007] a plug module comprising a plug metal base and a plug terminal located in the plug metal base;

[0008] a socket module comprising a flexible conductive component, a socket metal base, and a socket terminal located in the socket metal base, the flexible conductive component being arranged on the side of the socket metal base close to the plug metal base, the flexible conductive component comprising a flexible frame and a conductive medium located in the flexible frame, the flexible frame being provided with a relief hole, and the conductive medium being annularly arranged in the relief hole;

[0009] When the plug metal base is connected to the socket metal base, the socket terminal is arranged through the relief hole and electrically connected to the plug terminal, and the flexible frame is located between the plug metal base and the socket metal base.

[0010] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the conductive medium comprises a plurality of conductive columns, the conductive columns are composed of a plurality of metal balls, the conductive columns are arranged at intervals and annularly around the avoiding hole, one end of the conductive column is used for electrically connecting the plug metal base, and the other end is used for electrically connecting the socket metal base.

[0011] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the socket metal base is provided with a mounting groove, the flexible conductive assembly is mounted on the groove bottom of the mounting groove, the plug metal base can be embedded in the mounting groove, and the flexible frame body is located between the plug metal base and the groove bottom of the mounting groove.

[0012] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, one of the socket metal base and the plug metal base is provided with a first through hole, the other is provided with a threaded hole, the flexible frame body is provided with a second through hole, a screw is arranged in the first through hole, the second through hole and is screwed in the threaded hole.

[0013] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the plug module further comprises a cable, an end of the cable is located in the plug metal base and is electrically connected to the plug terminal, the cable is arranged in a straight line, and the plug terminal is arranged in a bent manner.

[0014] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the plug metal base is provided with a containing cavity, an end of the containing cavity away from the socket metal base is provided with an opening, the plug terminal and the cable can be mounted in the plug metal base through the opening, and the plug module further comprises a shielding sheet, the shielding sheet is connected to the opening to block the opening.

[0015] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the plug terminal and the cable are a plurality of, the abutting parts of the plug terminal and the cable are sequentially arranged in a stacked manner away from the socket metal base, the shielding sheet is a plurality of, and the shielding sheet is arranged between adjacent abutting parts;

[0016] The opening is arranged in a stepped manner, the stepped opening is provided with a stepped surface, two sides of one end of the shielding sheet are provided with a wing part with elasticity, the shielding sheet is partially located on the stepped surface and is welded to the edge of the opening, the wing part extends into the containing cavity and elastically abuts against the inner wall of the containing cavity.

[0017] As a preferred technical scheme of the connector, the first end of the socket terminal is electrically connected to the plug terminal, the second end of the socket terminal extends out of the socket metal base and is connected to a circuit board, a plurality of shielding protrusions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the second end of the socket terminal, and the shielding protrusions are arranged on the side wall of the socket metal base and can be attached to the circuit board.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution for a connector, the socket module includes a shielding bracket, a plurality of shielding protrusions are disposed on the shielding bracket, and the shielding bracket is welded to the side of the socket metal base near the circuit board.

[0019] On the other hand, an electronic device is provided, including a circuit board and a connector as described in any of the above, with a socket module disposed on the circuit board.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0021] This invention provides a connector and electronic device. When a plug module is connected to a socket module, the plug metal base is connected to the socket metal base. The socket terminals pass through clearance holes and are electrically connected to the plug terminals to form a differential pair. By providing a flexible conductive component to fill the gap between the plug and socket metal bases, and by providing a conductive medium around the clearance holes, complete isolation of the differential pair is ensured, forming a common potential surface, optimizing crosstalk, and improving signal transmission quality. Furthermore, both the plug and socket metal bases are conductive, forming a frame around the differential signals generated by the socket and plug terminals, ensuring excellent transmission performance. Finally, the position of the conductive medium corresponds to the clearance holes, designed according to structural requirements, eliminating the need to place the conductive medium throughout the entire flexible frame, thus reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connector structure provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the connector structure provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plug metal base provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the plug terminal and cable connection provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the socket module provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The figures are marked as follows:

[0029] 1, plug module; 11, plug metal base; 111, accommodating cavity; 112, opening; 113, shielding passage; 114, stepped surface; 12, plug terminal; 121, metal sheet; 13, cable; 131, joint; 14, shielding sheet; 141, wing part; 15, first plastic package; 16, second plastic package;

[0030] 2, socket module; 21, socket metal base; 211, mounting groove; 212, chamfer; 22, socket terminal; 23, shielding support; 231, shielding protrusion; 3, flexible conductive assembly; 31, flexible frame; 311, avoiding hole; 32, conductive medium; 321, conductive column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the application, and not to limit the application. In addition, it should be noted that, for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the application are shown in the drawings, not all the structures.

[0032] In the description of the application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the "upper" or "lower" of the first feature to the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the "upper", "above" and "above" of the first feature to the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The "below", "below" and "below" of the first feature to the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0034] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides an electronic device, including a circuit board and a connector. The connector includes a plug module 1 and a socket module 2. The plug module 1 includes a plug metal base 11 and a plug terminal 12 located within the plug metal base 11. The socket module 2 includes a flexible conductive component 3, a socket metal base 21, and a socket terminal 22 located within the socket metal base 21. The flexible conductive component 3 is disposed on the side of the socket metal base 21 near the plug metal base 11. The flexible conductive component 3 includes a flexible frame 31 and a conductive medium 32 located within the flexible frame 31. The flexible frame 31 is provided with a clearance hole 311, and the conductive medium 32 is arranged around the clearance hole 311. When the plug metal base 11 is connected to the socket metal base 21, the socket terminal 22 passes through the clearance hole 311 and is electrically connected to the plug terminal 12, and the flexible frame 31 is located between the plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21.

[0036] When plug module 1 is connected to socket module 2, plug metal base 11 is connected to socket metal base 21. Socket terminal 22 passes through clearance hole 311 and is electrically connected to plug terminal 12 to form a differential pair. By setting flexible conductive component 3, the gap between plug metal base 11 and socket metal base 21 is filled. Since conductive medium 32 is set around the clearance hole 311, the differential pair is completely isolated, forming a common potential surface, optimizing crosstalk, and improving signal transmission quality. Furthermore, both plug metal base 11 and socket metal base 21 are conductive, forming a frame around the differential signal generated by socket terminal 22 and plug terminal 12, ensuring excellent transmission performance. Finally, the position of conductive medium 32 corresponds to clearance hole 311, designed according to structural requirements, eliminating the need to set conductive medium 32 throughout the entire flexible frame 31, thus reducing production costs.

[0037] Furthermore, the plug terminal 12, the socket terminal 22, and the flexible frame 31 have multiple and one-to-one clearance holes 311. In this embodiment, there are four plug terminals 12, four socket terminals 22, and four clearance holes 311, which are arranged in a matrix, so that the flexible conductive component 3 forms a matrix-type three-dimensional elastic conductor.

[0038] In this embodiment, the flexible frame 31 is a silicone medium, and the two sides of the silicone medium elastically abut against the plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21 respectively, ensuring that there is no gap between the plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21 and optimizing crosstalk.

[0039] Preferably, the conductive medium 32 is composed of multiple metal spheres located within the silicone medium.

[0040] In this embodiment, the conductive medium 32 includes multiple conductive pillars 321, each composed of multiple metal balls. These conductive pillars 321 are spaced apart and arranged around the clearance hole 311, which saves on the manufacturing cost of the flexible conductive component 3. One end of each conductive pillar 321 is used for electrical connection to the plug metal base 11, and the other end is used for electrical connection to the socket metal base 21. When the socket metal base 21 and the plug metal base 11 are connected, they jointly compress the flexible frame 31. Under certain compression conditions, the multiple metal balls achieve a conductive state through the tunneling effect. The contact resistance (the resistance between the side of the flexible frame 31 near the plug metal base 11 and the side of the flexible frame 31 near the socket metal base 21) can reach the milliohm level. The plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21 are electrically connected through the conductive medium 32, and the return path between the plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21 is at the same potential, suppressing crosstalk noise in the transmission link. It should be noted that, relative to the conductive material in this application, which is a multi-layered foam structure, multi-layered foam is prone to the precipitation of metal particles, causing product failure. In this embodiment, the metal ball located in the silicone medium has excellent and stable conductivity and no risk of metal particle precipitation.

[0041] Preferably, one of the socket metal base 21 and the plug metal base 11 is provided with a first through hole, and the other is provided with a threaded hole. The flexible frame 31 is provided with a second through hole. The screw passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and is threaded into the threaded hole. When the screw is tightened, the flexible frame 31 can be squeezed and clamped, so that the multiple metal balls achieve a conductive state through the tunnel effect, thereby making the plug metal base 11 and the socket metal base 21 conductive through the tunnel effect of the matrix-type three-dimensional elastic conductor. The resistance of the flexible frame 31 is in the ohm range when there is no pressure, and the resistance of the conductive column 321 is in the milliohm range under a certain pressure.

[0042] In this embodiment, the socket metal base 21 is provided with a mounting groove 211, the flexible conductive component 3 is installed at the bottom of the mounting groove 211, the plug metal base 11 can be embedded in the mounting groove 211, and the flexible frame 31 is located between the plug metal base 11 and the bottom of the mounting groove 211, realizing the positioning and assembly between the plug module 1 and the socket module 2, improving the ease of assembly and assembly accuracy. Preferably, the edge of the mounting groove 211 is provided with a chamfer 212 to facilitate the insertion of the plug module 1 into the mounting groove 211.

[0043] In existing technologies, different architectures of high-speed connectors result in different wiring relationships, and some complex wiring requirements can lead to undesirable bends in the cable. These undesirable bends cause significantly different deformation trajectories between the outer and inner core wires of the high-speed cable. These two different deformations can lead to different changes in the structure of the inner and outer cable core wires. Most importantly, the different deformation of the shielding layer surrounding the core wires affects the high-speed transmission performance of the core wires, causing abnormalities in core wire impedance consistency, insertion loss, return loss, and internal delay. Furthermore, the different deformation trajectories of the inner and outer core wires cause signals to travel over unequal distances, resulting in signal delay between the two signal core wires. This also degrades signal transmission and affects high-speed signal transmission.

[0044] To solve the above problems, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the plug module 1 also includes a cable 13. The end of the cable 13 is located inside the plug metal base 11 and electrically connected to the plug terminal 12. The cable 13 is arranged in a straight line, while the plug terminal 12 is bent. The cable 13 is a high-speed cable. By bending the plug terminal 12, the bending direction of the cable 13 is changed, eliminating the need for bending or twisting. This avoids the occurrence of delays within the differential pair caused by bending or twisting the high-speed differential cable 13, which would degrade transmission performance.

[0045] Preferably, the plug metal base 11 is provided with a receiving cavity 111, and an opening 112 is provided at the end of the receiving cavity 111 away from the socket metal base 21. The plug terminal 12 and the cable 13 can be installed in the plug metal base 11 through the opening 112. The plug module 1 also includes a shielding plate 14, which is connected to the opening 112 to seal the opening 112. During assembly, the plug terminal 12 can be installed in the mounting cavity of the plug metal base 11 through the opening 112, and then the shielding plate 14 is connected to the opening 112 to seal the opening 112. During signal transmission of the plug terminal 12, a frame is formed around it by the plug metal base 11 and the shielding plate 14, which optimizes crosstalk, improves signal transmission quality, and ensures excellent transmission performance.

[0046] More preferably, there are multiple plug terminals 12 and cables 13, and the connection parts of the plug terminals 12 and cables 13 are stacked sequentially in the direction away from the metal base 21 of the socket. There are multiple shielding sheets 14, and a shielding sheet 14 is provided between adjacent connection parts. The opening 112 is stepped, and a stepped surface 114 is provided in the stepped shape. One end of the shielding sheet 14 is provided with elastic wings 141 on both sides. Part of the shielding sheet 14 is located on the stepped surface 114 and welded to the edge of the opening 112. The wings 141 extend into the receiving cavity 111 and elastically abut against the inner wall of the receiving cavity 111. This allows the end of the shielding sheet 14 that extends into the receiving cavity 111 to be electrically connected to the plug metal base 11 without welding, improving assembly convenience and reducing assembly cost. Moreover, each connection part is framed by the plug metal base 11 and the shielding sheet 14.

[0047] It should be noted that the receiving cavity 111 is provided with multiple shielding channels 113. The shielding channels 113 extend in the same direction as the mounting groove 211. Each shielding channel 113 corresponds to a plug terminal 12. After being bent, the plug terminal 12 extends into the shielding channel 113. The portion of the plug terminal 12 located within the shielding channel 113 is shielded by the shielding channel 113 to prevent crosstalk. The plug terminal 12 includes two metal pieces 121, and the cable 13 includes two connectors 131. The two metal pieces 121 are electrically connected to the two connectors 131 respectively. The two metal pieces 121 are fixed by a first plastic sealant 15, and the connection points between the two metal pieces 121 and the two connectors 131 are fixed by a second plastic sealant 16.

[0048] In this embodiment, there are four connection points between the plug terminals 12 and the cable 13, arranged in a matrix. The plug metal base 11 is provided with two receiving cavities 111 at intervals, and each receiving cavity 111 can accommodate two sets of plug terminals 12 and cables 13. Of course, when the number of plug terminals 12 and cables 13 is increased, each receiving cavity 111 can accommodate multiple sets of plug terminals 12 and cables 13.

[0049] In existing technologies, the overlap between the return interface of the socket and the circuit board is incomplete, leading to worsened crosstalk and even significant resonance in the operating frequency band of the high-speed connector, increasing the possibility of link noise and distortion. To solve the above problems, such as Figure 5As shown, the first end of the socket terminal 22 is electrically connected to the plug terminal 12, and the second end of the socket terminal 22 extends out of the socket metal base 21 and is connected to the circuit board. Multiple shielding protrusions 231 are circumferentially spaced at the second end of the socket terminal 22. These shielding protrusions 231 are located on the sidewall of the socket metal base 21 and can be mounted on the circuit board. By providing multiple shielding protrusions 231, a frame is formed at the connection point between the socket terminal 22 and the circuit board, ensuring excellent crosstalk characteristics. In this embodiment, the socket module 2 is soldered to the circuit board and is located on the desktop of the server chip, enabling signal transmission within and between boards.

[0050] Preferably, the socket module 2 includes a shielding bracket 23, with multiple shielding protrusions 231 disposed on the shielding bracket 23. The shielding bracket 23 is welded to the side of the socket metal base 21 near the circuit board. The shielding bracket 23 and the shielding protrusions 231 are integrally formed, effectively improving the signal transmission bottleneck in the termination area between the socket module 2 and the circuit board.

[0051] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, include: The plug module (1) includes a plug metal base (11) and plug terminals (12) located within the plug metal base (11). The socket module (2) includes a flexible conductive component (3), a socket metal base (21), and a socket terminal (22) located within the socket metal base (21). The flexible conductive component (3) is disposed on the side of the socket metal base (21) near the plug metal base (11). The flexible conductive component (3) includes a flexible frame (31) and a conductive medium (32) located within the flexible frame (31). The flexible frame (31) is provided with a clearance hole (311), and the conductive medium (32) is arranged around the clearance hole (311). When the plug metal base (11) is connected to the socket metal base (21), the socket terminal (22) passes through the clearance hole (311) and is electrically connected to the plug terminal (12), and the flexible frame (31) is located between the plug metal base (11) and the socket metal base (21).

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive medium (32) includes a plurality of conductive pillars (321), each of which is composed of a plurality of metal balls. The plurality of conductive pillars (321) are spaced apart and arranged around the clearance hole (311). One end of each conductive pillar (321) is used to electrically conduct the plug metal base (11), and the other end is used to electrically conduct the socket metal base (21).

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The socket metal base (21) is provided with a mounting groove (211), the flexible conductive component (3) is installed at the bottom of the mounting groove (211), the plug metal base (11) can be embedded in the mounting groove (211), and the flexible frame (31) is located between the plug metal base (11) and the bottom of the mounting groove (211).

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the socket metal base (21) and the plug metal base (11) is provided with a first through hole and the other is provided with a threaded hole. The flexible frame (31) is provided with a second through hole. The screw passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and is threaded to the threaded hole.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug module (1) also includes a cable (13), the end of which is located inside the plug metal base (11) and electrically connected to the plug terminal (12). The cable (13) is arranged in a straight line, and the plug terminal (12) is bent.

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The plug metal base (11) is provided with a receiving cavity (111), and the receiving cavity (111) is provided with an opening (112) at one end away from the socket metal base (21). The plug terminal (12) and the cable (13) can be installed in the plug metal base (11) through the opening (112). The plug module (1) also includes a shielding plate (14), which is connected to the opening (112) to seal the opening (112).

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, There are multiple plug terminals (12) and cables (13). The connection parts of the plug terminals (12) and cables (13) are stacked sequentially in a direction away from the metal base (21) of the socket. There are multiple shielding sheets (14). Each of the adjacent connection parts is provided with a shielding sheet (14). The opening (112) is stepped, and the stepped surface (114) is provided. Both sides of one end of the shielding plate (14) are provided with elastic wings (141). The shielding plate (14) is partially located on the stepped surface (114) and welded to the edge of the opening (112). The wings (141) extend into the receiving cavity (111) and elastically abut against the inner wall of the receiving cavity (111).

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first end of the socket terminal (22) is electrically connected to the plug terminal (12), and the second end of the socket terminal (22) extends out of the socket metal base (21) and is connected to the circuit board. The second end of the socket terminal (22) is provided with a plurality of shielding protrusions (231) spaced apart in the circumference. The shielding protrusions (231) are provided on the side wall of the socket metal base (21) and can be mounted on the circuit board.

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The socket module (2) includes a shielding bracket (23), and a plurality of shielding protrusions (231) are disposed on the shielding bracket (23). The shielding bracket (23) is welded to the side of the socket metal base (21) near the circuit board.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The device includes a circuit board and a connector as described in any one of claims 1-9, with the socket module (2) disposed on the circuit board.

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