Socket type connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a socket type connector and a connector assembly comprising the same. The socket type connector is arranged on a substrate and used for being matched with a plug type connector, and the plug type connector is provided with a plurality of coaxial lines. The socket type connector comprises a shell assembly, a plurality of contact pieces and a sliding upper cover. Wherein the shell assembly is provided with a sliding rail part, the plurality of contact pieces are held by a tail end of the shell assembly, and each contact piece is provided with a terminal part which extends out of the tail end of the shell assembly. The sliding upper cover is arranged in the sliding rail part and can horizontally slide along the sliding rail part. After the plug-type connector is inserted into the socket-type connector, the plug-type connector pushes the sliding upper cover to enable the sliding upper cover to horizontally slide along the sliding rail part so as to cover the terminal part, and an electromagnetic shielding effect is formed. According to the socket type connector, assembling and automatic optical detection can be facilitated, and meanwhile the socket type connector has the electromagnetic shielding protection effect.

Description

Socket type connectors and connector assemblies Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to socket-type connectors, and more particularly to socket-type connectors with electromagnetic shielding effects. Background Technology

[0002] LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) is a data transmission technology widely used in high-speed data transmission. Its main characteristic is that it transmits differential signals through two signal lines, enabling high-speed communication at relatively low voltages (typically between 0.3V and 0.6V), while also featuring low power consumption, low noise, and strong immunity to electromagnetic interference.

[0003] The main applications of LVDS include LCD display panels, laptops, and other devices that use LVDS to transmit data and control signals, as well as its widespread use in high-speed communication fields such as telecommunications, automotive electronics, and industrial control. The advantages of LVDS lie in its high transmission rate (typically reaching hundreds of Mbps or higher), and its ability to effectively suppress noise due to differential signal transmission, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring high speed and low power consumption.

[0004] However, in high-speed communication environments, electromagnetic fields between adjacent signal sources can interfere with each other, resulting in crosstalk. This crosstalk affects the accurate transmission of data, especially under dense cabling or high-speed transmission conditions. Such electromagnetic interference can lead to signal distortion or attenuation, particularly at connector and cable connections. Therefore, the high-speed communication field urgently needs an innovative connector design to effectively reduce electromagnetic interference with transmitted signals, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector with an innovative sliding structure that, through the ingenious cooperation between its components, facilitates component assembly and automatic optical inspection, while also providing electromagnetic shielding protection.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a connector that has a locking function to prevent the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector from disengaging, while also having a compact structural design and the advantages of low cost, high reliability and thinness.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a receptacle-type connector disposed on a substrate for mating with a plug-type connector, the plug-type connector having multiple coaxial lines. The receptacle-type connector includes a housing assembly, multiple contacts, and a sliding cover. The housing assembly has a slide rail portion, and the multiple contacts are held by a tail end of the housing assembly, each contact having a terminal portion extending beyond the tail end of the housing assembly. The sliding cover is disposed in the slide rail portion and can slide horizontally along the slide rail portion. The sliding cover has a leading edge portion and a covering portion, wherein the covering portion is disposed at the rear edge of the sliding cover opposite the leading edge portion. When the plug-type connector is inserted into the receptacle-type connector, the plug-type connector pushes the leading edge portion, causing the sliding cover to slide horizontally along a first end of the slide rail portion to a second end of the slide rail portion opposite to the first end. At this point, the covering portion can cover the terminal portion to form an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0008] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the housing assembly further includes an insulating housing, a socket top shell and a socket bottom shell, the socket top shell and the socket bottom shell together cover the insulating housing, the tail end of the housing assembly is one end face of the insulating housing, and the terminal portion of the contact extends from the end face.

[0009] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell has an extended end face that extends beyond the end face of the insulating shell. When the sliding top cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail, the extended end face can cover the terminal portion together with the covering portion of the sliding top cover.

[0010] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the insulating housing has a sliding groove and the socket top housing has an upper sliding groove, the upper sliding groove and the lower sliding groove together defining the slide rail portion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the sliding cover further has two extension arms, wherein each extension arm extends downward from one side edge of the sliding cover into the slide rail portion of the housing assembly, and each extension arm has a limiting pin protruding from the extension arm, and is able to slide horizontally between the first end and the second end by being restricted by the slide rail portion of the housing assembly.

[0012] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the sliding groove has a guide slope for guiding the limiting pin of the sliding cover to move along the guide slope and be positioned at the first end of the slide rail when assembling the sliding cover to the housing assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell has two vertical limiting members, and the sliding top cover also has two wings. Each vertical limiting member is respectively disposed on both sides of the socket top shell adjacent to each terminal portion. When the sliding top cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail portion to the second end, one of the two vertical limiting members can restrict the horizontal sliding of one of the two wings inside so as not to jump out.

[0014] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell has a backstop member, which can clamp the front edge of the sliding top cover to prevent it from sliding back when the sliding top cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail.

[0015] In one embodiment of the receptacle connector of the present invention, the receptacle connector further includes a rotating rod pivotally disposed in the housing assembly. When the plug connector pushes the sliding cover to slide horizontally to the second end, the rotating rod rotates from a first position to a second position. The rotating rod can be restricted by a latch on one side of the plug connector to form a locked state, preventing the plug connector from disengaging from the receptacle connector.

[0016] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell has two support members, which are respectively disposed on the two sides of the socket top shell, for supporting the rotating rod in a first position to avoid the rotating rod from contacting the substrate.

[0017] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the slide rail is disposed on the insulating housing, and there is a space between the insulating housing and the socket top shell, and the sliding top cover can slide horizontally in the space.

[0018] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the sliding top cover further has two extension arms, wherein each extension arm extends horizontally from a leading edge of the sliding top cover into the slide rail portion of the housing assembly, and is able to slide horizontally between a first end and a second end by being restricted by the slide rail portion.

[0019] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the insulating housing further has at least one fastener disposed on the upper surface of the insulating housing, and the sliding cover further has at least one guide groove, the guide groove being able to accommodate the fastener. When the sliding cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail to the second end, the fastener can restrict the guide groove from sliding horizontally and prevent it from jumping out.

[0020] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, each fastener has a lower positioning recess and each guide groove has a lower positioning protrusion. When the sliding top cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail, the lower positioning protrusion can be clamped by the lower positioning recess to prevent the sliding top cover from sliding back.

[0021] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell has at least one anti-reverse member, and the sliding top cover also has at least one wing. The anti-reverse member is a rib protruding from the lower surface of the socket top shell. When the sliding top cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail to the second end, the wing can slide from one end of the anti-reverse member to the other opposite end of the anti-reverse member and is restricted by the rib to prevent it from sliding back.

[0022] In one embodiment of the receptacle connector of the present invention, the receptacle connector further includes a rotating rod pivotally disposed in the housing assembly. When the plug connector pushes the sliding cover to slide horizontally to the second end and rotates the rotating rod from a first position to a second position, the rotating rod can be restricted by at least one first protrusion on one side edge of the plug connector to form a locked state, preventing the plug connector from disengaging from the receptacle connector.

[0023] In one embodiment of the socket-type connector of the present invention, the socket top shell further includes at least one second protrusion disposed on one side edge of the socket top shell. When the rotating rod rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotating rod can be restricted by the second protrusion to form the locking state, preventing the plug-type connector from disengaging from the socket-type connector.

[0024] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a socket-type connector and a plug-type connector as described in the above embodiments, wherein when the plug-type connector is mated with the socket-type connector, one of the coaxial cables is electrically connected to one of the contacts.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will best understand the technical features and other objects and advantages of this invention after referring to the specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector assembly in the mating state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a socket-type connector and a plug-type connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the combination of the socket-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the main components of the plug-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the mating process between the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector not being mated in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the state after the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector are mated in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5D is a schematic diagram of the locking state after the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector are mated and paired in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the main components of the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of most of the socket-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figures 8A to 8C are schematic diagrams showing the horizontal sliding of the sliding top cover of the socket-type connector between different positions on the housing assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the anti-retraction component of the socket-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 is a side view of the support member of the socket-type connector in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a connector assembly in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of most of the socket-type connector in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of most of the plug-type connector in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 14A is a schematic diagram of the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector in the sliding cover unclosed state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 14B is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the area indicated by the red dashed line in Figure 14A.

[0044] Figure 14C is a cross-sectional view of line segment AA' in Figure 14A.

[0045] Figure 15A is a schematic diagram of the socket-type connector and the plug-type connector in the sliding cover closed state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 15B is an enlarged view of the part within the frame in Figure 15A.

[0047] Figure 15C is a cross-sectional view of line segment BB' in Figure 15A.

[0048] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of two matching states of the guide groove of the sliding cover and the fastener of the insulating shell in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the anti-reverse mechanism of the locking rotating rod in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0051] 1 Connector Assembly

[0052] 2 substrate

[0053] 3 Connector Assembly

[0054] 100 Socket Type Connector

[0055] 101 Housing Assembly

[0056] 102 Slide rail section

[0057] 1021 First end

[0058] 1022 Second end

[0059] 1023 Assembly Slot

[0060] 110 Insulating Housing

[0061] 112 Slide groove

[0062] 1122 Guide Incline

[0063] 120 socket top shell

[0064] 122 Extended end face

[0065] 124 Upper Slide

[0066] 126 Vertical limiting component

[0067] 128 stop-back piece

[0068] 129 Support component

[0069] 130 socket base

[0070] 140 Contacts

[0071] 142 Terminal Department

[0072] 150 Rotating Rod

[0073] 160 Sliding top cover

[0074] 162 Leading edge

[0075] 164 Coverage Section

[0076] 166 Extending Arm

[0077] 1661 Limit pin

[0078] 168 Wings

[0079] 200 plug type connector

[0080] 210 Insulating Housing

[0081] 220 plug top shell

[0082] 222 Recessed area

[0083] 224 latches

[0084] 230 plug bottom shell

[0085] 240 contact element

[0086] 242 Terminal Department

[0087] 250 coaxial cable

[0088] 300 socket type connector

[0089] 301 Housing Assembly

[0090] 310 Insulating Housing

[0091] 312 Slide rail section

[0092] 3121 First end

[0093] 3122 Second end

[0094] 314 Fasteners

[0095] 3141 Upper positioning concave point

[0096] 3142 Lower positioning concave point

[0097] 320 socket top shell

[0098] 322 Extended end face

[0099] 324 stop-back piece

[0100] 326 Protrusion

[0101] 330 socket base

[0102] 340 contact element

[0103] 342 Terminal Department

[0104] 350° Rotary Rod

[0105] 360° sliding top cover

[0106] 362 Leading edge

[0107] 364 Coverage Department

[0108] 366 Extender Arm

[0109] 368 Wings

[0110] 369 guide slot

[0111] 3691 positioning bump

[0112] 3692 Lower positioning bump

[0113] 400 plug type connector

[0114] 410 Insulating Housing

[0115] 412 Fastener

[0116] 420 plug top shell

[0117] 422 Opening

[0118] 426 Protrusion

[0119] 430 plug bottom shell

[0120] 440 contact element

[0121] 450 coaxial cable

[0122] AA' line segment

[0123] BB' line segment. Detailed Implementation

[0124] The connector assembly according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0125] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the constituent elements of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention are briefly described, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector assembly in a mated state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly in an unmated state according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the connector assembly 1 is disposed on a substrate 2, and includes a receptacle connector 100 and a plug connector 200 mating and engaging with it.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 3, which shows a schematic diagram of the assembly of the socket-type connector 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The socket-type connector 100 of the present invention includes an insulating housing 110, a socket top shell 120, a socket bottom shell 130, a plurality of contacts 140, a rotating rod 150, and a sliding top cover 160. After the socket bottom shell 130 is assembled with the insulating housing 110, the contacts 140 are assembled into the insulating housing 110, and each contact 140 has a terminal portion 142 extending from one end face of the insulating housing 110, facilitating subsequent soldering of the assembled socket-type connector 100 to a substrate 2 for electrical connection. Next, the rotating rod 150 is assembled into the receiving groove formed by the insulating housing 110 and the socket bottom shell 130, and then the socket top shell 120 is placed over the insulating housing 110 and the socket bottom shell 130, confining the rotating rod 150 between the three components so that the rotating rod 150 can only rotate around the receiving groove. Furthermore, the socket top shell 120 has an extended end face 122 extending beyond the end face of the insulating shell 110, for semi-openly covering the terminal portion 142 of the contact 140. Clearly, as shown in the figure, the socket-type connector 100 is mainly composed of the insulating shell 110, the socket top shell 120, and the socket bottom shell 130, forming a housing assembly 101. The rotating rod 150 is pivotally mounted in the housing assembly 101 and can rotate within a certain angle around the housing assembly. Finally, the sliding top cover 160 is inserted above the housing assembly 101 and can slide horizontally relative to the housing assembly 101 for a certain distance, as detailed later.

[0127] Please refer to Figure 4, which shows an exploded perspective view of the main components of the plug-type connector 200 in an embodiment of the present invention. The plug-type connector 200 includes an insulating housing 210, a plug top shell 220, a plug bottom shell 230, multiple contacts 240, and multiple coaxial cables 250. As shown in Figure 4, the insulating housing 210, on which multiple contacts 240 are assembled, and the plug bottom shell 230 are molded by insert molding. Next, multiple coaxial cables 250, connected in series by a grounding bar, are assembled into an accommodating space formed by the insulating housing 210 and the plug bottom shell 230, so that each coaxial cable 250 can be electrically connected to each contact 240. Subsequently, after performing a hot bar welding process to ground all coaxial cables 250, the plug top shell 220 is embedded into the insulating housing 210 and the plug bottom shell 230 to complete the assembly process of the plug-type connector 200. It should be noted that each contact 240 of the plug connector 200 also has a terminal portion 242. After the socket connector and the plug connector are subsequently mated together, each terminal portion 242 of the plug connector 200 will physically contact each contact 140 of the socket connector 100, and the socket connector and the plug connector can be electrically connected for signal transmission.

[0128] Please refer to Figures 5A and 5B together below. Figure 5A shows a schematic diagram of the mating process of the socket-type connector 100 and the plug-type connector 200 in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B shows a schematic diagram of the state before the two are mated. Specifically, the sliding cover 160 has two leading edges 162 disposed on the leading edges of the sliding cover 160, and a covering portion 164 disposed on the trailing edge of the sliding cover 160. In a preferred embodiment, the plug shell 220 of the plug-type connector 200 has two recesses 222, which correspond to the two leading edges 162 of the sliding cover 160 when the socket-type connector 100 and the plug-type connector 200 are mated. It should be noted that before the plug-type connector 200 is inserted into the socket-type connector 100, the sliding cover 160 of the socket-type connector 100 is in a mating start position relative to the housing assembly 101, as shown by the dotted line in step (b) of Figure 5A. In this mating start position, the covering portion 164 of the sliding cover 160 is in an unclosed state, that is, it does not yet cover the terminal portions 142 of all contacts 140 of the socket-type connector 100. The purpose is to expose these terminal portions 142 to facilitate visual optical inspection of the terminal portions 142 by the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) equipment to confirm the condition of the solder paste on the surface of the terminal portions 142. Only after the inspection is completed without errors can the mating and fitting procedure between the two connectors be performed.

[0129] Please refer to Figures 5A and 5B. When the plug-type connector 200 is inserted into the socket-type connector 100, the two recesses 222 of the plug top shell 220 in the plug-type connector 200 will push the two leading edges 162 of the sliding cover 160 of the socket-type connector 100, causing the sliding cover 160 to slide horizontally relative to the housing assembly 101 until it reaches a mating position. In the mating position, as shown by the dotted line in step (c) of Figure 5A, the covering portion 164 of the sliding cover 160 can enter a closed state, which, together with the extended end face 122 of the socket top shell 120, completely covers the terminal portions 142 of all contacts 140 of the socket-type connector 100 to form an electromagnetic shielding effect, providing complete electromagnetic protection for signal transmission, as shown in Figure 5C.

[0130] One feature of the connector assembly 1 of the present invention is that the connector assembly 1 has a locking function to ensure that when the plug-type connector 200 and the socket-type connector 100 are fully engaged, the plug-type connector 200 will not unexpectedly detach from the socket-type connector 100 due to changes in the usage environment. For example, traditional automotive connectors are easily affected by vibrations during vehicle movement, resulting in poor contact between the connectors. Specifically, when the plug-type connector 200 and the socket-type connector 100 are fully engaged, the rotating rod 150 on the socket-type connector 100 can be rotated to rotate the rotating rod 150 from a first position adjacent to the extended end face 122 of the socket top shell 120 to a second position adjacent to the coaxial line 250 of the plug-type connector 200, as shown in steps (c) to (d) of FIG5A. When the rotating rod 150 is in the second position, it is restrained by a latch 224 on one side of the plug shell 220 of the plug-type connector 200, forming a locked state, as shown in Figure 5D. This prevents the plug-type connector 200 from disengaging from the socket-type connector 100, ensuring that both connectors can still connect properly under harsh environmental conditions and guaranteeing signal transmission quality. It should be noted that when the rotating rod 150 is rotated back from the second position to the first position, unlocking it from the latch 224, the user can completely remove the plug-type connector 200 from the socket-type connector 100.

[0131] The following will describe in detail how the sliding cover of the socket-type connector of the present invention, when mated and engaged with the plug-type connector, achieves complete coverage of the terminal portion of the contact element by means of the push of the plug-type connector, thereby forming an electromagnetic shielding effect. Please refer to Figures 7, 8A to 8C, which show schematic diagrams of the horizontal sliding of the sliding cover of the socket-type connector of the present invention between different positions on the housing assembly. It should be noted that the housing assembly 101 of the socket-type connector 100 is provided with two slide rail portions 102, and the sliding cover 160 also has two extension arms 166 and two wings 168, which are respectively disposed at the front and rear positions of the two side edges of the sliding cover 160, as shown in Figure 7. The slide rail portions 102 are for horizontal sliding between the two opposite ends (i.e., the first end 1021 and the second end 1022) of the sliding cover 160 embedded inside it. Please refer to Figure 7, which specifically illustrates that the slide rail portion 102 of the housing assembly 101 is actually defined by a lower sliding groove 112 of the insulating housing 110 and an upper sliding groove 124 of the socket top housing 120. Each extension arm 166 on both sides of the sliding top cover 160 extends downward from the side edge of the sliding top cover 160 into the slide rail portion 102. Furthermore, each extension arm 166 has a limiting pin 1661 protruding from the extension arm 166, which allows it to slide horizontally between the first end 1021 and the second end 1022, restricted by the slide rail portion 102 of the housing assembly 101.

[0132] It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 8A, the slide rail portion 102 has an assembly groove 1023 at the front end of the first end 1021, so that when the sliding cover 160 is initially assembled to the housing assembly 101, the extension arms 166 on both sides of the sliding cover 160 can be embedded in the assembly groove 1023. Moreover, in particular, the sliding groove 112 of the insulating housing 110 has a guide slope 1122, as shown in Figure 8B, which can guide the limiting pin 1661 of the sliding cover 160 to move along the guide slope 1122 and be positioned at the first end 1021 of the slide rail portion 102. As shown in the enlarged view in Figure 8B (for ease of showing the internal structure, the socket top shell 120 is omitted or hidden in Figures 8B and 8C, mainly showing the partial structure of the insulating shell 110 and the sliding top cover 160), the extension arm 166 of the sliding top cover 160 has a certain space within the assembly groove 1023. During the process of the extension arm 166 moving forward to the first end 1021 (as shown by the arrows in Figures 8A to 8B), the limiting pin 1661 is indirectly subjected to force due to the pressure from the guide ramp 1122. The assembly groove 1023 still provides a certain space margin for the extension arm 166 to deform appropriately without causing damage to the contact components. After the extension arm 166 has moved to the first end 1021, the structure of the extension arm 166 can return to its normal state due to the release of external force. Furthermore, the structural discontinuity formed by the guide ramp 1122 restricts the extension arm 166 from sliding back into the assembly groove 1023, thus stably positioning it at the first end 1021.

[0133] Please refer to Figures 8B and 8C, which clearly show the process of the sliding cover 160 sliding from the first end 1021 to the second end 1022 of the slide rail 102, allowing the sliding cover 160 to completely close the exposed terminal portion 142 of the contact member during the process of mating and inserting the plug-type connector into the socket-type connector. It should be noted that, to prevent improper vertical movement or misalignment of the sliding cover 160 during horizontal sliding, which could result in failure to completely cover the terminal portion 142, two vertical limiting members 126 are provided on the socket top shell 120, respectively located on both sides adjacent to each terminal portion 142. These vertical limiting members 126 protrude a certain height from the surface of the socket top shell 120, and there is sufficient space between the vertical limiting members 126 and the upper surface of the socket top shell 120 to accommodate the sliding wings 168 on both sides of the sliding cover 160 sliding within them. When the sliding cover 160 slides horizontally from the first end 1021 to the second end 1022 of the slide rail portion 102, the vertical limiting members 126 on both sides of the socket top shell can restrict the wings 168 on both sides of the sliding cover 160 to slide horizontally only inside them and not jump out. In particular, as shown in FIG8A, when the sliding cover 160 is initially assembled to the housing assembly 101, although the extension arm 166 at one end of the sliding cover 160 has been embedded in the assembly groove 1023, the wing 168 at the other end has not yet entered the limiting range of the vertical limiting member 126. As shown in Figure 8B, when the extension arm 166 is moved to the first end 1021, the wing 168 just enters the limiting range of the vertical limiting member 126. When the sliding cover 160 slides horizontally from the first end 1021 to the second end 1022, as shown in Figure 8C, the wings 168 on both sides of the sliding cover 160 are entirely within the limiting range of the vertical limiting member 126. This ensures that the sliding cover 160 will not experience unexpected jumping or misalignment during horizontal sliding, and ensures that the terminal part is completely covered by the covering part 164 of the sliding cover 160 together with the extended end face 122 of the socket top shell 120, so as not to be affected by external electromagnetic noise.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 9, which shows a schematic diagram of a socket-type connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the socket-type connector 100 also has two anti-retraction members 128 on the socket top shell 120, disposed on the upper surface of the socket top shell adjacent to the leading edge 162 of the sliding top cover 160. In essence, the anti-retraction member 128 is a protrusion on a recessed structure (see Figure 7). The size of the recessed structure of the anti-retraction member 128 is large enough to accommodate a portion of the leading edge 162 of the sliding top cover 160, and the protrusion will make the recessed structure form a pocket-shaped recess. When the sliding top cover 160 slides horizontally to the second end 1022 of the slide rail portion 102, the leading edge 162 of the sliding top cover 160 is partially accommodated in the recessed structure of the socket top shell due to the push of the plug-type connector and is clamped by the protrusion of the anti-retraction member 128 to prevent it from sliding back, ensuring that the leading edge 162 does not detach from the socket top shell, and further ensuring that the sliding top cover 160 completely covers the terminal portion.

[0135] Referring to Figure 10, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket top shell 120 further includes two support members 129, respectively disposed on both sides of the socket top shell 120, for supporting the rotating rod 150 at the first position. Specifically, when the rotating rod 150 is at the first position, the rotating rod 150 is positioned at a certain height from the substrate 2, which can prevent the rotating rod 150 from contacting the substrate 2. When it is necessary to remove the plug-type connector 200 from the socket-type connector 100, force can be applied to disengage the rotating rod 150 from the latch 224, and the rotating rod 150 can be rotated back from the second position to the first position, so that the connector assembly 1 is in an unlocked state and can be further removed from the plug-type connector 200. At this time, the rotating rod 150 resting on the support member 129 is sufficient to prevent the rotating rod 150 from being excessively rotated and contacting the substrate 2, thereby preventing the rotating rod 150 from being excessively rotated and pushing the fixed solder points or terminals of the socket-type connector 100 away from the substrate 2, affecting the grounding state of the fixed solder points of the socket-type connector 100.

[0136] Please refer to Figures 11 to 13 together, which respectively show schematic diagrams of connector assembly 3, socket-type connector 300, and plug-type connector 400 in another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the connector assembly of the above embodiments, the connector assembly disclosed in this embodiment can achieve better thinning and more complete electromagnetic shielding effect. As shown in the figures, similar to the previous embodiment, the socket-type connector 300 in this embodiment mainly includes an insulating shell 310, a socket top shell 320, a socket bottom shell 330, a plurality of contacts 340, a rotating rod 350, and a sliding top cover 360. The insulating shell 310, socket top shell 320, and socket bottom shell 330 are combined to form a shell assembly 301. The contacts 340 are held by a tail end of the shell assembly 301, and each contact 340 has a terminal portion 342 extending beyond the tail end of the shell assembly 301. Unlike the previous embodiments, to achieve a thinner profile and better electromagnetic shielding, the sliding top cover 360 of the socket-type connector 300 in this embodiment is enclosed within the housing assembly 301. More specifically, in this embodiment, there is a space (not shown) between the insulating housing 310 and the socket top shell 320 in the housing assembly 301. This space can accommodate the sliding top cover 360 and allow it to slide horizontally within the space. Compared to the previous embodiments, since the sliding top cover 360 in this embodiment is enclosed between the insulating housing 310 and the socket top shell 320, the socket top shell 320 does not need to be provided with a slide rail for the sliding top cover 360 to slide. Therefore, the socket top shell 320 in this embodiment can have a seamless, complete structure, thereby providing a more complete electromagnetic shielding effect. Furthermore, since the sliding top cover 360 is covered and slides between the insulating housing 310 and the socket top cover 320, there is no possibility of the sliding top cover misaligning or jumping off in the vertical direction of the connector thickness. In other words, the socket top cover 320 of this embodiment does not need to be additionally configured with a vertical limiting member as in the previous embodiment. Therefore, the socket type connector of this embodiment can have a thinner volume with a smaller thickness.

[0137] As shown in Figure 13, similar to the previous embodiment, the plug-type connector 400 of this embodiment is composed of an insulating shell 410, a plug top shell 420, a plug bottom shell 430, a contact 440, and a coaxial cable 450. Related descriptions can be found above and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that this embodiment provides several fasteners 412 on the side of the insulating shell 410, and correspondingly, several openings 422 are provided at opposite positions on the side of the plug top shell 420. When assembling the plug-type connector 400, these fasteners 412 can be tightly accommodated in the corresponding openings 422, allowing the plug top shell 420 and the insulating shell 410 to be tightly engaged, thus enhancing the tightness of the fit between the components.

[0138] To further illustrate the actuation mechanism between the sliding cover and other components in this embodiment, please refer to Figures 14A to 14C and 15A to 15C, which detail the interaction between the sliding cover 360 and the insulating housing 310 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 14A, the socket-type connector 300 and the plug-type connector 400 are in an unpaired state. At this time, the sliding cover below the socket top housing 320 is not closed, exposing the terminal portion 342 for inspection by an automated optical inspection device. On the other hand, Figure 14B shows a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the portion indicated by the red dashed line in Figure 14A. In particular, in Figure 14B, the socket top housing 320 is indicated by dashed lines to clearly show the interaction between the sliding cover 360 and the insulating housing 310. Furthermore, Figure 14C is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the section AA' in Figure 14A.

[0139] Please refer to Figures 12 and 14B together. In this embodiment, the insulating housing 310 of the housing assembly 301 has two slide rail portions 312, which are disposed on two opposite sides of the socket top housing 320. The socket top housing 320 has an extended end face 322 and two anti-retraction members 324, which are protruding ribs protruding from the lower surface of the socket top housing. The sliding cover 360 has multiple leading edge portions 362, a cover portion 364, two extension arms 366, and two wings 368. The functions of the leading edge portions 362 and the cover portion 364, as well as their structural relationship with other components, are similar to those in the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here. In particular, unlike the previous embodiment, the two extension arms 366 are respectively disposed on the leading edge of the sliding cover 360. When the sliding cover 360 is assembled to the insulating housing 310, the extension arms 366 can extend horizontally and be accommodated in the slide rail portions 312 of the insulating housing 310, as shown in Figures 12 and 14B. On the other hand, the two wings 368 are respectively provided on both sides of the sliding cover 360, and when the sliding cover 360 is assembled to the insulating housing 310, the wings 368 can abut against the side wall of the slide rail portion 312. In particular, after the socket top housing 320 and the insulating housing 310 are assembled, the wings 368 are also positioned precisely on one side of the anti-retraction member 324 of the socket top housing 320, as shown in FIG14C.

[0140] Please refer to Figures 12, 15A through 15C. Figure 15A shows the mating and engaging state of the socket-type connector 300 and the plug-type connector 400 in this embodiment. At this time, the sliding cover 360 below the socket top shell 320 is in a closed state, and the covering portion 364 of the sliding cover 360, together with the extended end face 322 of the socket top shell, covers the terminal portion. Moreover, as mentioned above, compared with the previous embodiment, the socket top shell 320 in this embodiment does not have a slide rail portion and therefore has fewer openings. Therefore, the connector assembly in this embodiment can provide a more complete electromagnetic shielding effect. On the other hand, Figure 15B shows a partially enlarged schematic diagram shown within the frame in Figure 15A, and Figure 15C is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the section shown by line segment BB' in Figure 15A.

[0141] When the socket-type connector 300 and the plug-type connector 400 begin to engage, the sliding cover 360 is pushed by the plug-type connector 400, allowing the extension arm 366 to slide horizontally from the first end 3121 of the slide rail portion 312 to the second end 3122. Referring to Figure 15B, when the extension arm 366 slides to the second end 3122, the wing 368 resists the restriction of the anti-reverse member 324 and slides to the other opposite end of the anti-reverse member 324. After the socket-type connector 300 and the plug-type connector 400 are fully engaged, the sliding cover 360 is no longer under force. At this point, the wing 368 is restricted by the anti-reverse member 324 and will not slide back, as shown in Figure 15C.

[0142] In this embodiment, to increase the vertical stability of the sliding cover 360 during horizontal sliding and prevent misalignment and jumping, at least one fastener 314 is provided on the upper surface of the insulating housing 310. Furthermore, at least one guide groove 369 is provided on the sliding cover 360 at a position corresponding to the fastener 314, and the guide groove 369 can accommodate the fastener 314, as shown in FIG12. When the extension arm 366 of the sliding cover 360 slides horizontally from the first end 3121 to the second end 3122 of the slide rail portion 312, the fastener 314 can restrict the guide groove 369 from sliding horizontally and prevent it from jumping out, thus increasing the vertical stability of the sliding cover during horizontal sliding, as shown in FIGS14B and 15B.

[0143] More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG16, upper positioning recesses 3141 and lower positioning recesses 3142 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the two side edges of the fastener 314. Correspondingly, upper positioning protrusions 3691 and lower positioning protrusions 3692 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the two side edges of the guide groove 369. When the sliding cover 360 starts to slide horizontally from the first end 3121 of the slide rail portion 312, the lower positioning protrusions 3692 in the guide groove 369 of the sliding cover 360 can be released from the restriction of the lower positioning recesses 3142 on each fastener 314 of the insulating housing 310, so that the sliding cover 360 starts to slide horizontally towards the second end 3122. When the sliding cover 360 slides horizontally to the second end 3122 of the slide rail 312, the upper positioning protrusion 3691 in the guide groove 369 of the sliding cover 360 can be clamped by the upper positioning recess 3141 on the fastener 314 of the insulating housing 310, so that the sliding cover 360 will not slide back.

[0144] In this embodiment, to increase the reliability of the engagement between the socket connector 300 and the plug connector 400 in use and to avoid the risk of them falling off or separating, as shown in FIG17, protrusions are provided on both the socket connector 300 and the plug connector 400 to limit the rotation of the rotating rod, thereby preventing the plug connector 400 from detaching from the socket connector 300. As shown in FIG17, the socket connector 300 has a protrusion 326 on one side edge of the socket top shell 320, and the plug connector 400 has a protrusion 426 on one side edge of the plug top shell 420. When the rotating rod 350 rotates from a first position to a second position, the rotating rod 350 is restricted by the protrusion 426 on the side edge of the plug connector 400 and the protrusion 326 on the side edge of the socket connector 300 to form a locked state, preventing the plug connector from detaching from the socket connector.

[0145] In summary, the connector assembly of the present invention features an innovative combination of a socket-type connector and a plug-type connector. Specifically, the socket-type connector has a sliding top cover, which not only facilitates automatic optical inspection and confirmation of the solder condition on the socket-type connector contacts before mating the socket-type and plug-type connectors, but also, after inspection, simultaneously provides complete coverage of the connector assembly during mating of the socket-type and plug-type connectors, achieving electromagnetic shielding. Furthermore, the connector assembly of the present invention also has functions to prevent the socket-type and plug-type connectors from locking and unlocking, improving the operational and structural reliability of the connector assembly, while also offering advantages such as compact size and low cost.

[0146] While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is subject to the wording of the claims, that is, any equivalent variations and modifications made without departing from the claims should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A receptacle-type connector, disposed on a substrate, for mating with a plug-type connector, the plug-type connector having a plurality of coaxial lines, the receptacle-type connector comprising: a housing assembly having a slide rail portion disposed within the housing assembly; a plurality of contacts held by a tail end of the housing assembly, each contact having a terminal portion extending beyond the tail end of the housing assembly; and a sliding top cover disposed within the slide rail portion of the housing assembly, slidable horizontally along the slide rail portion, the sliding top cover having a leading edge portion and a covering portion, wherein the leading edge portion is disposed at a leading edge of the sliding top cover, and the covering portion is disposed at a rear edge of the sliding top cover opposite the leading edge portion, wherein... When the plug-type connector is inserted into the socket-type connector, the plug-type connector pushes the leading edge to make the sliding cover slide horizontally along a first end of the slide rail to a second end of the slide rail opposite to the first end. The covering portion of the sliding cover can cover each of the terminal portions of the contact to form an electromagnetic shielding effect.

2. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing assembly further comprises an insulating housing, a socket top shell and a socket bottom shell, the socket top shell and the socket bottom shell together cover the insulating housing, the tail end of the housing assembly is one end face of the insulating housing, and the terminal portion of the contact extends from the end face.

3. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the socket top shell has an extended end face extending beyond the end face of the insulating housing, and when the sliding top cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail portion, the extended end face can jointly cover the terminal portion with the covering portion of the sliding top cover.

4. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the insulating housing has a sliding groove and the socket top housing has an upper sliding groove, the upper sliding groove and the sliding groove together defining the slide rail portion.

5. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sliding top cover further has two extension arms, wherein each extension arm extends downward from one side edge of the sliding top cover into the slide rail portion of the housing assembly, and each extension arm has a limiting pin protruding from the extension arm and is able to slide horizontally between the first end and the second end by being restricted by the slide rail portion of the housing assembly.

6. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sliding groove has a guide slope for guiding the limiting pin of the sliding cover to move along the guide slope and be positioned at the first end of the slide rail portion when assembling the sliding cover to the housing assembly.

7. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the socket top shell has two vertical limiting members, and the sliding top cover also has two wings, each of the vertical limiting members being disposed on both sides of the socket top shell adjacent to each of the terminal portions, wherein when the sliding top cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail portion to the second end, one of the two vertical limiting members can restrict the horizontal sliding of one of the two wings to prevent it from jumping out.

8. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the socket top shell has a backstop member, and when the sliding top cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail portion, the leading edge of the sliding top cover can be clamped by the backstop member to prevent it from sliding back.

9. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2 further includes a rotating rod pivotally disposed in the housing assembly, wherein when the plug-type connector pushes the sliding cover to slide horizontally to the second end and rotates the rotating rod from a first position to a second position, the rotating rod can be restricted by a latch on one side of the plug-type connector to form a locked state, preventing the plug-type connector from disengaging from the socket-type connector.

10. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the socket top shell has two support members respectively disposed on two sides of the socket top shell for supporting the rotating rod in the first position to prevent the rotating rod from contacting the substrate.

11. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slide rail is disposed on the insulating housing, and there is a space between the insulating housing and the socket top shell, and the sliding top cover is capable of sliding horizontally in the space.

12. The socket-type connector of claim 11, wherein the sliding cover further has two extension arms, each of the extension arms extending horizontally from a leading edge of the sliding cover into the slide rail portion of the housing assembly, and being able to slide horizontally between the first end and the second end portion by means of the slide rail portion.

13. The socket-type connector of claim 11, wherein the insulating housing further has at least one fastener disposed on the upper surface of the insulating housing, and the sliding cover further has at least one guide groove, the at least one guide groove being able to accommodate the at least one fastener, wherein when the sliding cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail to the second end, the at least one fastener is able to restrict the at least one guide groove from sliding horizontally and prevent it from jumping out.

14. The socket-type connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one fastener has at least one positioning recess and the at least one guide groove has at least one positioning protrusion, and when the sliding cover slides horizontally to the second end of the slide rail portion, the at least one positioning protrusion can be clamped by the at least one positioning recess to prevent the sliding cover from sliding back.

15. The socket-type connector of claim 11, wherein the socket top shell has at least one anti-reverse member, and the sliding top cover further has at least one wing, the at least one anti-reverse member being a protruding rib protruding from the lower surface of the socket top shell, wherein when the sliding top cover slides horizontally from the first end of the slide rail to the second end, the at least one wing is capable of sliding from one end of the at least one anti-reverse member to the other opposite end of the at least one anti-reverse member, and is restricted by the protruding rib from sliding back.

16. The socket-type connector of claim 11, further comprising a rotating rod pivotally disposed in the housing assembly, wherein when the plug-type connector pushes the sliding top cover to slide horizontally to the second end, and the rotating rod is rotated from a first position to a second position, the rotating rod can be restricted by at least one first protrusion on one side edge of the plug-type connector to form a locked state, preventing the plug-type connector from disengaging from the socket-type connector.

17. The socket-type connector of claim 16, wherein the socket top housing further includes at least one second protrusion disposed on one side edge of the socket top housing, and when the rotating rod rotates from the first position to the second position, the rotating rod can be restricted by the at least one second protrusion to form the locked state, preventing the plug-type connector from disengaging from the socket-type connector.

18. A connector assembly comprising a receptacle connector and a plug connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein when the plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector, one of the coaxial cables is electrically connected to one of the contacts.

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