Connector and counter connector

Abstract

This invention discloses a connector and a mating connector. The connector includes: an insulating shell including a peripheral wall and a bottom wall forming an inner cavity, and a retainer connected to the peripheral wall and / or the bottom wall; a plurality of terminal modules mounted in the inner cavity of the insulating shell, each terminal module including multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals; and a plurality of low-speed signal terminals held on the retainer for electrical contact with the low-speed mating signal terminals of the mating connector. The retainer guides the connector to mate with the mating connector. The retainer of this invention not only holds the low-speed signal terminals but also guides the connector and the mating connector to mate, thereby simplifying the connector structure and reducing the connector size. Furthermore, the layout of the high-speed and low-speed signal terminals of this invention optimizes the impedance consistency of the signal transmission path, meeting higher signal transmission rates and lower mating height requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a mating connector for mating with the connector. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, wire-end connectors typically include a housing, a circuit board housed within the housing, and multiple cables electrically connected to the cable board. Board-end connectors that mate with wire-end connectors typically include an insulating shell and terminals housed within the insulating shell. The terminals have contact springs for electrical contact with the circuit board and solder pads for soldering to the circuit board. These existing wire-end connectors and board-end connectors have high contact impedance and severe crosstalk, making them unsuitable for higher-speed signal transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: an insulating shell including a peripheral wall and a bottom wall forming an inner cavity, and a retainer connected to the peripheral wall and / or the bottom wall; a plurality of terminal modules mounted in the inner cavity of the insulating shell, each terminal module including multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals; and a plurality of low-speed signal terminals held on the retainer for electrical contact with low-speed mating signal terminals of a mating connector, the retainer serving to guide the connector to mate with the mating connector.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the retainer is connected to the bottom wall, and the plurality of low-speed signal terminals are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer; the insulating shell has a left region and a right region located on the left and right sides of the retainer, respectively, and the plurality of terminal modules are respectively installed in the left region and the right region of the insulating shell.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a positioning hole is formed in the retainer of the insulating shell, the positioning hole being used to cooperate with a positioning post on the mating housing of the mating connector to guide the connector to mate with the mating connector.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of low-speed signal terminals include a first low-speed signal terminal for electrostatic discharge protection and a second low-speed signal terminal having a function different from the first low-speed signal terminal, wherein the extension length of the first low-speed signal terminal in the height direction of the insulating shell is greater than that of the second low-speed signal terminal; during the mating process between the connector and the mating connector, the first low-speed signal terminal makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal of the mating connector before the second low-speed signal terminal makes electrical contact with the second low-speed mating signal terminal of the mating connector.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of low-speed signal terminals are arranged in two rows and the two rows of low-speed signal terminals are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer; a plurality of terminal slots are formed on the front and rear sides of the retainer, and the low-speed signal terminals are installed in the terminal slots.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each row of low-speed signal terminals includes a first low-speed signal terminal and a plurality of second low-speed signal terminals, and the plurality of second low-speed signal terminals are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the first low-speed signal terminal.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal module further includes: an insulator; and a pair of grounding members fixed to the insulator and spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the insulator; the plurality of pairs of high-speed signal terminals fixed to the insulator and arranged in a row in the length direction of the insulator, the row of high-speed signal terminals being located between the pair of grounding members and spaced apart from the grounding members by a predetermined distance in the width direction, the grounding member including a plurality of grounding springs corresponding to the plurality of pairs of high-speed signal terminals respectively, the plurality of grounding springs being arranged in a row in the length direction of the insulator, the high-speed signal terminals having contact spring arms, the contact spring arms of each pair of high-speed signal terminals being located between a corresponding pair of grounding springs facing each other in the width direction.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the grounding spring of the grounding member and the contact spring arm of the high-speed signal terminal extend upward from the top of the insulator for making electrical contact with the conductive shield and the high-speed mating signal terminal of the mating terminal module of the mating connector, respectively; and the upward extension length of the contact spring arm is greater than that of the grounding spring, such that during the mating process between the connector and the mating connector, the contact spring arm makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal before the grounding spring makes electrical contact with the conductive shield.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, during the mating process between the connector and the mating connector, the first low-speed signal terminal makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal before the high-speed signal terminal makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal of the mating connector.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulator is injection molded onto the plurality of high-speed signal terminals, such that the insulator and the plurality of high-speed signal terminals become a single unit.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the grounding member further has a fixing strip extending along the length direction of the insulator, the insulator having two opposing sides in its width direction, and the fixing strips of the pair of grounding members are respectively fixed to the two sides of the insulator.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fixing strip has an upper side and a lower side opposite to each other in the height direction of the insulator, and a row of grounding springs of the grounding member is connected to the upper side of the fixing strip.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the grounding element further has a plurality of grounding solder feet located at the bottom of the insulator, the plurality of grounding solder feet being arranged in a row along the length of the insulator and connected to the lower side of the fixing strip; the high-speed signal terminal has high-speed signal solder feet exposed from the bottom of the insulator, the high-speed signal solder feet and the grounding solder feet being adapted to be surface-mounted onto a circuit board.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal module further includes: a pair of reinforcing strips, respectively welded to the fixing strips of the pair of grounding members to increase the strength of the fixing strips of the grounding members, the inner side of the fixing strips of the grounding members abutting against the insulator, and the reinforcing strips being welded to the outer side of the fixing strips of the grounding members.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of protruding posts are formed on both sides of the insulator, and the plurality of protruding posts are arranged in a row along the length direction of the insulator; a plurality of insertion holes are formed on the fixing strip and the reinforcing strip, and the plurality of protruding posts are respectively engaged with the plurality of insertion holes to fix the grounding member to the insulator.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ribs are formed on the protruding post, the plurality of ribs extending along the axial direction of the protruding post and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the protruding post; the plurality of ribs on the protruding post are interference-fitted with the wall of the insertion hole to fix the protruding post into the insertion hole.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mounting groove extending along the length direction of the insulating shell is formed on the bottom wall of the insulating shell, the insulator of the terminal module is embedded in the mounting groove, and the contact spring arm of the high-speed signal terminal and the grounding spring of the grounding member are located in the inner cavity of the insulating shell.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulator has two opposite ends in its length direction, and protrusions are formed at each end of the insulator; slots are formed on the inner walls of the mounting grooves at both ends of the insulating shell, and the slots engage with the protrusions on the insulator to lock the terminal module in the insulating shell.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a positioning rib is formed in the insulating shell that spans the mounting groove, and a positioning groove extending in the width direction is formed on the top of the insulator, the positioning groove engaging with the positioning rib to position the terminal module in the insulating shell.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the grounding element is a one-piece stamped part.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating shell is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes: a shielding shell fitted onto the insulating shell and having a front side and a rear side opposite to each other in the width direction of the insulating shell, a front snap formed on the front side of the shielding shell for engaging with an elastic hook on a locking member of a mating connector, and a rear snap formed on the rear side of the shielding shell for engaging with a locking protrusion on a mating housing of the mating connector.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the shielding shell has welding legs located at the bottom of the insulating shell, the welding legs being used for insertion and soldering into sockets on a circuit board.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a mating connector is provided. The mating connector includes: a mating housing; and a mating terminal module mounted in the mating housing. The mating terminal module includes: a mating insulator having a plurality of slots; a plurality of pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals respectively disposed in the plurality of slots; and a conductive shield disposed in the slots. The mating connector is used for mating with the aforementioned connector, the mating terminal module is used for mating with the terminal module, the contact spring arm of the high-speed signal terminal is used for electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal, and the grounding spring of the grounding member is used for electrical contact with the conductive shield.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating housing includes an outer peripheral wall forming a receiving cavity and a positioning post located in the receiving cavity and connected to the outer peripheral wall, the positioning post being used to engage with a positioning hole on the retainer of the connector to guide the connector to mate with the mating connector.

[0029] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the conductive shielding includes a conductive layer electroplated onto the inner wall surface of the slot of the mating insulator.

[0030] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the conductive shield includes a conductive plate mounted in a slot of the mating insulator.

[0031] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes: a plurality of high-speed signal cables, which are electrically connected to the plurality of pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals respectively, and the shielding layer of the high-speed signal cables is electrically connected to the conductive shield.

[0032] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of slots on the mating insulator are arranged in two rows, the plurality of pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals are arranged in two rows, the plurality of high-speed signal cables are arranged in two rows, and the mating terminal module is used to mate with two terminal modules arranged side by side.

[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes: two shielded connectors, which are respectively soldered to the shielding layers of the two rows of high-speed signal cables and soldered to the conductive shield, so as to electrically connect the shielding layers of the high-speed signal cables to the conductive shield.

[0034] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes: a plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals disposed in the mating housing for electrical contact with the plurality of low-speed signal terminals of the connector respectively.

[0035] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals are arranged in two rows, each row of low-speed mating signal terminals including: a first low-speed mating signal terminal for electrostatic discharge protection and adapted to make electrical contact with a first low-speed signal terminal of the connector; and a second low-speed mating signal terminal, which has a different function from the first low-speed mating signal terminal and is adapted to make electrical contact with a second low-speed signal terminal of the connector.

[0036] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes: a plurality of low-speed signal cables, which are electrically connected to the plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals respectively.

[0037] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes a cable retainer, which is injection molded onto a plurality of low-speed signal cables and a plurality of high-speed signal cables of the mating connector.

[0038] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector further includes: a locking member, mounted on the mating housing and having an elastic hook, the elastic hook being located on the front side of the mating housing for engaging with a front snap on the front side of the connector's shielding shell, and a locking protrusion formed on the rear side of the mating housing for engaging with a rear snap on the rear side of the connector's shielding shell.

[0039] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the resilient hook is adapted to move between a locked position engaged with the front latch and an unlocked position disengaged from the front latch; the mating connector further includes an unlocking band connected to the locking member for driving the resilient hook to move between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0040] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the retainer is used not only to retain the low-speed signal terminal, but also to guide the mating of the connector and the mating connector, thereby simplifying the structure of the connector and reducing the size of the connector.

[0041] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, low-speed signal terminals are arranged in the middle region of the connector, and high-speed signal terminals are arranged on the left and right sides of the middle region of the connector, respectively. This arrangement can optimize the impedance consistency of the signal transmission path and meet the requirements of higher signal transmission rate and lower mating height.

[0042] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a row of high-speed signal terminals in the terminal module is located between two rows of grounding springs, and the contacts of the grounding springs and the contacts of the high-speed signal terminals are not in the same row. Therefore, the present invention can effectively suppress resonance and noise coupling between two adjacent pairs of high-speed signal terminals, and reduce signal crosstalk.

[0043] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, the two rows of grounding springs in the terminal module make electrical contact with the conductive shield in the mating insulator of the mating terminal module, thereby forming a grounding loop and improving the electromagnetic shielding effect of the connector product. Furthermore, the conductive shield in the mating insulator can effectively suppress noise coupling between adjacent pairs of high-speed signal terminals, reducing signal crosstalk.

[0044] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connector and the mating connector are fitted with positioning pins and positioning holes, which can ensure that the connector and the mating connector can be smoothly mated. In addition, the front and rear sides of the connector's shielding shell are respectively formed with front and rear latches that engage with the mating connector, which can reliably lock the connector and the mating connector together.

[0045] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the extension length of the contact spring arm of the high-speed signal terminal of the connector is greater than the extension length of the grounding spring. Therefore, the contact spring arm makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal before the grounding spring makes electrical contact with the conductive shield. Thus, the mating force when the connector and the mating connector are mated can be reduced.

[0046] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the extension length of the electrostatic discharge protection terminal in the low-speed signal terminal of the connector is greater than that of the signal terminals of other functions. Therefore, the electrostatic discharge protection terminal can make electrical contact with the mating signal terminal before the signal terminals of other functions, thereby providing effective electrostatic discharge protection for the connector product and improving the safety of the connector product in use.

[0047] In some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, a reinforcing strip is welded onto the fixing strip of the grounding member, thereby increasing the strength of the grounding member without increasing the thickness of the grounding spring. The thinner grounding spring can improve the signal integrity of the connector product and reduce the insertion and extraction force.

[0048] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0049] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 2 An exploded view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the shielding shell is not shown;

[0051] Figure 3 A perspective view of a terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0052] Figure 4 A plan view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one end;

[0053] Figure 5 An exploded view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0054] Figure 6 An exploded view showing the grounding element and reinforcing strip of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0056] Figure 8 This shows a lateral anatomical view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 9 Showing a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 10 This shows a longitudinal anatomical view of the terminal module of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 11 A perspective view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0060] Figure 12 A perspective sectional view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0061] Figure 13 Showing a planar sectional view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 14 A planar sectional view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the high-speed signal terminal is just in electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal, and the grounding spring has not yet made electrical contact with the conductive shield.

[0063] Figure 15 A planar sectional view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the connector and the mating connector have been mated together;

[0064] Figure 16 A perspective view showing a connector with high-speed signal terminals and low-speed signal terminals according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 17 A plan view showing a connector with high-speed signal terminals and low-speed signal terminals according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 18 A plan view showing a high-speed signal terminal and a low-speed signal terminal of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a high-speed mating signal terminal and a low-speed mating signal terminal of a mating connector, wherein the first low-speed signal terminal and the first low-speed mating signal terminal for electrostatic discharge protection are just in contact, and the signal terminals for other functions have not yet made electrical contact.

[0067] Figure 19A perspective view of a connector and mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

[0068] Figure 20 A perspective view of a connector and a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0069] Figure 21 An exploded view of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0070] Figure 22 A perspective view showing a mating terminal module and a low-speed signal terminal module of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0071] Figure 23 An exploded view of the mating terminal module of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0072] Figure 24 A perspective view of the mating terminal module of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0073] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of the mating terminal module of a mating connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, wherein one of the shielded connectors has not yet been soldered to the shielding layer of a row of high-speed signal cables. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0075] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0076] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes: an insulating shell including a peripheral wall and a bottom wall forming an inner cavity, and a retaining body connected to the peripheral wall and / or the bottom wall; a plurality of terminal modules mounted in the inner cavity of the insulating shell, each terminal module including multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals; and a plurality of low-speed signal terminals held on the retaining body for electrical contact with low-speed mating signal terminals of a mating connector, the retaining body serving to guide the connector to mate with the mating connector.

[0077] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a mating connector is provided. The mating connector includes: a mating housing; and a mating terminal module installed in the mating housing. The mating terminal module includes: a mating insulator having a plurality of slots; a plurality of pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals respectively disposed in the plurality of slots; and a conductive shield disposed in the slots. The mating connector is used for mating with the aforementioned connector, the mating terminal module is used for mating with the terminal module, the contact spring arm of the high-speed signal terminal is used for electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal, and the grounding spring of the grounding element is used for electrical contact with the conductive shield.

[0078] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exploded view of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the shielding shell 3 is not shown; Figure 3 A perspective view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 This is a plan view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one end. Figure 5 An exploded view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 An exploded view showing the grounding member 21 and reinforcing strip 23 of the terminal module 2 of the connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 This shows a lateral cutaway view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 Showing a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 This shows a longitudinal anatomical view of the terminal module 2 of a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] like Figures 1 to 10As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector 100 is disclosed. The connector 100 includes: an insulating shell 1, a plurality of low-speed signal terminals 4, and a plurality of terminal modules 2. The insulating shell 1 includes a peripheral wall 11 and a bottom wall 12 forming an inner cavity 102, and a retainer 10 located in the inner cavity 102 and connected to the peripheral wall 11 and / or the bottom wall 12. The plurality of terminal modules 2 are mounted into the inner cavity 102 of the insulating shell 1, and each terminal module 2 includes a plurality of pairs of high-speed signal terminals (i.e., high-speed differential signal terminal pairs) 22. The plurality of low-speed signal terminals 4 are held on the retainer 10 for electrical contact with the low-speed mating signal terminals 7 of the mating connector 200, and the retainer 10 is used to guide the connector 100 to mate with the mating connector 200.

[0080] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple low-speed signal terminals 4 are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer 10. The retainer 10 is located approximately in the middle region of the insulating shell 1, which has a left region and a right region located on the left and right sides of the retainer 10, respectively. Multiple terminal modules 2 are respectively installed in the left and right regions of the insulating shell 1.

[0081] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a positioning hole 101 is formed in the retainer 10 of the insulating shell 1. The positioning hole 101 is used to cooperate with the positioning post 501 on the mating housing 5 of the mating connector 200 to guide the connector 100 to mate with the mating connector 200.

[0082] Figure 11 A perspective view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 12 A perspective sectional view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 13 Showing a planar sectional view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 Showing a planar cross-sectional view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the high-speed signal terminal 22 has just made electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal 62, and the grounding spring 211 has not yet made electrical contact with the conductive shield 61. Figure 15 Showing a planar sectional view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector 100 and the mating connector 200 have been mated together; Figure 16 A perspective view showing a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a high-speed signal terminal 22 and a low-speed signal terminal 4; Figure 17A plan view showing a connector 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a high-speed signal terminal 22 and a low-speed signal terminal 4; Figure 18 A plan view showing a connector 100 with high-speed signal terminal 22 and low-speed signal terminal 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a mating connector 200 with high-speed mating signal terminal 62 and low-speed mating signal terminal 7, wherein the first low-speed signal terminal 4' and the first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' for electrostatic discharge protection have just made contact, and the signal terminals for other functions have not yet made electrical contact.

[0083] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of low-speed signal terminals 4 include a first low-speed signal terminal 4' for electrostatic discharge protection and a second low-speed signal terminal 4'' with a function different from the first low-speed signal terminal 4'. The extension length of the first low-speed signal terminal 4' in the height direction Z of the insulating shell 1 is greater than that of the second low-speed signal terminal 4'. During the mating process between the connector 100 and the mating connector 200, the first low-speed signal terminal 4' makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' of the mating connector 200 before the second low-speed signal terminal 4'' makes electrical contact with the second low-speed mating signal terminal 7' of the mating connector 200.

[0084] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of low-speed signal terminals 4 are arranged in two rows, and the two rows of low-speed signal terminals 4 are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer 10. A plurality of terminal slots 10a are formed on the front and rear sides of the retainer 10, and the low-speed signal terminals 4 are installed in the terminal slots 10a.

[0085] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each row of low-speed signal terminals 4 includes a first low-speed signal terminal 4' and a plurality of second low-speed signal terminals 4'", and the plurality of second low-speed signal terminals 4' are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of a first low-speed signal terminal 4'.

[0086] like Figures 1 to 18As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal module 2 further includes an insulator 20 and a pair of grounding elements 21. The pair of grounding elements 21 are fixed to the insulator 20 and spaced apart from each other in the width direction X of the insulator 20. Multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals 22 are fixed to the insulator 20 and arranged in a row in the length direction Y of the insulator 20. The row of high-speed signal terminals 22 is located between the pair of grounding elements 21 and spaced apart from the grounding elements 21 by a predetermined distance in the width direction X. Each grounding element 21 includes multiple grounding springs 211 corresponding to the multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals 22, arranged in a row in the length direction Y of the insulator 20. Each high-speed signal terminal 22 has a contact spring arm 221, with the contact spring arm 221 of each pair of high-speed signal terminals located between corresponding pairs of grounding springs 211 facing each other in the width direction X.

[0087] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the grounding spring 211 of the grounding member 21 and the contact spring arm 221 of the high-speed signal terminal 22 extend upward from the top of the insulator 20 for electrical contact with the conductive shield 61 and the high-speed mating signal terminal 62 of the mating terminal module 6 of the mating connector 200, respectively. The upward extension length of the contact spring arm 221 is greater than that of the grounding spring 211, such that during the mating process between the connector 100 and the mating connector 200, the contact spring arm 221 makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal 62 before the grounding spring 211 makes electrical contact with the conductive shield 61.

[0088] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, during the mating process between connector 100 and mating connector 200, the first low-speed signal terminal 4' makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' before the high-speed signal terminal 22 makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal 62 of mating connector 200.

[0089] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the insulator 20 is injection molded onto multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals 22, making the insulator 20 and the multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals 22 a single unit.

[0090] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the grounding member 21 also has a fixing strip 213 extending along the length direction Y of the insulator 20, the insulator 20 having two opposite sides in its width direction X, and the fixing strips 213 of a pair of grounding members 21 are respectively fixed to the two sides of the insulator 20.

[0091] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing strip 213 has an upper side and a lower side opposite to each other in the height direction Z of the insulator 20, and a row of grounding springs 211 of the grounding member 21 is connected to the upper side of the fixing strip 213.

[0092] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the grounding member 21 further has a plurality of grounding solder pads 212 located at the bottom of the insulator 20. The plurality of grounding solder pads 212 are arranged in a row along the length Y direction of the insulator 20 and connected to the lower side of the fixing strip 213. The high-speed signal terminal 22 has high-speed signal solder pads 222 exposed from the bottom of the insulator 20. The high-speed signal solder pads 222 and the grounding solder pads 212 are adapted to be surface-mounted onto a circuit board (not shown).

[0093] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the terminal module 2 of the connector 100 further includes a pair of reinforcing strips 23, which are respectively welded to the fixing strips 213 of a pair of grounding members 21 to increase the strength of the fixing strips 213 of the grounding members 21. The inner side of the fixing strip 213 of the grounding member 21 is attached to the insulator 20, and the reinforcing strips 23 are welded to the outer side of the fixing strip 213 of the grounding member 21.

[0094] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, multiple protruding posts 203 are formed on both sides of the insulator 20, and the multiple protruding posts 203 are arranged in a row along the length Y direction of the insulator 20. Multiple insertion holes 2c are formed on the fixing strip 213 and the reinforcing strip 23, and the multiple protruding posts 203 are respectively engaged with the multiple insertion holes 2c to fix the grounding member 21 to the insulator 20.

[0095] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, multiple ribs 20c are formed on the protruding post 203. The multiple ribs 20c extend along the axial direction of the protruding post 203 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the protruding post 203. The multiple ribs 20c on the protruding post 203 are interference-fitted with the wall of the insertion hole 2c to fix the protruding post 203 into the insertion hole 2c.

[0096] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a mounting groove 13 extending along the length direction Y of the insulating shell 1 is formed on the bottom wall 12 of the insulating shell 1. The insulator 20 of the terminal module 2 is embedded in the mounting groove 13. The contact spring arm 221 of the high-speed signal terminal 22 and the grounding spring piece 211 of the grounding member 21 are located in the inner cavity 102 of the insulating shell 1.

[0097] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the insulator 20 has two opposite ends in its length direction Y, and protrusions 20a are formed at each end of the insulator 20. Slots 1a are formed on the inner walls of the mounting groove 13 at both ends of the insulating shell 1, and the slots 1a engage with the protrusions 20a on the insulator 20 to lock the terminal module 2 in the insulating shell 1.

[0098] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, a positioning rib 1b is formed in the insulating shell 1 that spans the mounting groove 13, and a positioning groove 20b extending in the width direction X is formed on the top of the insulator 20. The positioning groove 20b engages with the positioning rib 1b to position the terminal module 2 in the insulating shell 1.

[0099] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the grounding component 21 is a one-piece stamped part. The insulating shell 1 is a one-piece injection molded part.

[0100] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 100 further includes a shielding shell 3. The shielding shell 3 is fitted onto the insulating shell 1 and has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the width direction X of the insulating shell 1. A front latch 31 is formed on the front side of the shielding shell 3 for engaging with a resilient hook 81 on the locking member 8 of the mating connector 200, and a rear latch 32 is formed on the rear side of the shielding shell 3 for engaging with a locking protrusion 52 on the mating housing 5 of the mating connector 200.

[0101] like Figures 1 to 18 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the shielding shell 3 has welding legs 33 located at the bottom of the insulating shell 1. The welding legs 33 are used for insertion and soldering into sockets 2c on a circuit board (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the shielding shell 3 is a one-piece stamped part.

[0102] Figure 19 A perspective view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 as shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. Figure 20 A perspective view of a connector 100 and a mating connector 200 as shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. Figure 21 An exploded view of a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 22 A perspective view of the mating terminal module 6 and the low-speed signal terminal module of a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 23 An exploded view of the mating terminal module 6 of a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 24 A perspective view of the mating terminal module 6 of a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. Figure 25 This is a perspective view of the mating terminal module 6 of a mating connector 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear, wherein a shielded connector 64 has not yet been soldered to the shielding layer 63a of a row of high-speed signal cables 63.

[0103] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mating connector 200 is also disclosed. The mating connector 200 includes a mating housing 5 and a mating terminal module 6. The mating terminal module 6 is mounted in the mating housing 5. The mating terminal module 6 includes a mating insulator 60, multiple pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals 62, and a conductive shield 61. The mating insulator 60 has multiple slots 601. The multiple pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals 62 are respectively disposed in the multiple slots 601. The conductive shield 61 is disposed in the slots 601. The mating connector 200 is used for mating with the aforementioned connector 100, the mating terminal module 6 is used for mating with the terminal module 2, the contact spring arm 221 of the high-speed signal terminal 22 is used for electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal 62, and the grounding spring 211 of the grounding member 21 is used for electrical contact with the conductive shield 61.

[0104] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating housing 5 includes an outer peripheral wall forming a receiving cavity and a positioning post 501 located in the receiving cavity and connected to the outer peripheral wall. The positioning post 501 is used to engage with the positioning hole 101 on the retainer 10 of the connector 100 to guide the connector 100 to mate with the mating connector 200.

[0105] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive shield 61 includes a conductive layer electroplated onto the inner wall surface of the slot 601 of the mating insulator 60.

[0106] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductive shield 61 includes a conductive plate mounted in a slot 601 of the mating insulator 60.

[0107] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector further includes multiple high-speed signal cables 63. The multiple high-speed signal cables 63 are electrically connected to multiple pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals 62. The shielding layer 63a of the high-speed signal cables 63 is electrically connected to a conductive shield 61.

[0108] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, multiple slots 601 on the mating insulator 60 are arranged in two rows, multiple pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals 62 are arranged in two rows, multiple high-speed signal cables 63 are arranged in two rows, and the mating terminal module 6 is used to mate with two terminal modules 2 arranged side by side.

[0109] like Figures 1 to 25As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 200 further includes two shielded connectors 64. The two shielded connectors 64 are respectively soldered to the shielding layer 63a of the two rows of high-speed signal cables 63 and soldered to the conductive shield 61 to electrically connect the shielding layer 63a of the high-speed signal cables 63 to the conductive shield 61.

[0110] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 200 further includes a plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals 7. The plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals 7 are disposed in the mating housing 5 and are used to make electrical contact with the plurality of low-speed signal terminals 4 of the connector 100, respectively.

[0111] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, multiple low-speed mating signal terminals 7 are arranged in two rows. Each row of low-speed mating signal terminals 7 includes: a first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' and a second low-speed mating signal terminal 7'". The first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' is used for electrostatic discharge protection and is adapted to make electrical contact with the first low-speed signal terminal 4' of the connector 100. The second low-speed mating signal terminal 7' has a different function from the first low-speed mating signal terminal 7' and is adapted to make electrical contact with the second low-speed signal terminal 4' of the connector 100.

[0112] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 200 further includes a plurality of low-speed signal cables 73, which are electrically connected to a plurality of low-speed mating signal terminals 7 respectively.

[0113] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 200 also includes a cable retainer 9. The cable retainer 9 is injection molded onto a plurality of low-speed signal cables 73 and a plurality of high-speed signal cables 63 of the mating connector 200.

[0114] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 200 further includes a locking member 8. The locking member 8 is mounted to the mating housing 5 and has a resilient latch 81. The resilient latch 81 is located on the front side of the mating housing 5 and is used to engage with a front latch 31 on the front side of the shielding shell 3 of the connector 100. A locking protrusion 52 is formed on the rear side of the mating housing 5, which is used to engage with a rear latch 32 on the rear side of the shielding shell 3 of the connector 100.

[0115] like Figures 1 to 25 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the resilient hook 81 is adapted to move between a locked position engaged with the front latch 31 and an unlocked position disengaged from the front latch 31. The mating connector 200 also includes an unlocking band (not shown) connected to the locking member 8 for driving the resilient hook 81 to move between the locked and unlocked positions.

[0116] In this application, the signal transmission rate of the high-speed signal terminal 22 is higher than that of the low-speed signal terminal 4.

[0117] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0118] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0119] While some embodiments of the general concept of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0120] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector characterized by comprising: include: The insulating shell (1) includes a peripheral wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) surrounding the inner cavity (102) and a retainer (10) connected to the peripheral wall (11) or / or the bottom wall (12); Multiple terminal modules (2) are installed into the cavity (102) of the insulating housing (1), and each terminal module (2) includes multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals (22); and Multiple low-speed signal terminals (4) are held on the retainer (10) for electrical contact with the low-speed mating signal terminals (7) of the mating connector (200). The retainer (10) is used to guide the connector (100) to mate with the mating connector (200).

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retainer (10) is connected to the bottom wall (12), and the plurality of low-speed signal terminals (4) are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer (10); the insulating shell (1) has a left region and a right region located on the left and right sides of the retainer (10), and the plurality of terminal modules (2) are respectively installed in the left region and the right region of the insulating shell (1).

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning hole (101) is formed in the retainer (10) of the insulating shell (1), the positioning hole (101) is used to cooperate with the positioning post (501) on the mating shell (5) of the mating connector (200) to guide the connector (100) to mate with the mating connector (200).

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of low-speed signal terminals (4) include a first low-speed signal terminal (4') for electrostatic discharge protection and a second low-speed signal terminal (4”) that functions differently from the first low-speed signal terminal (4'). The first low-speed signal terminal (4') has a longer extension length in the height direction (Z) of the insulating shell (1) than the second low-speed signal terminal (4”). During the mating process between the connector (100) and the mating connector (200), the first low-speed signal terminal (4') makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal (7') of the mating connector (200) before the second low-speed signal terminal (4") makes electrical contact with the second low-speed mating signal terminal (7") of the mating connector (200).

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of low-speed signal terminals (4) are arranged in two rows and the two rows of low-speed signal terminals (4) are respectively fixed to the front and rear sides of the retainer (10); Multiple terminal slots (10a) are formed on the front and rear sides of the retainer (10), and the low-speed signal terminal (4) is installed in the terminal slots (10a).

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each row of low-speed signal terminals (4) includes a first low-speed signal terminal (4') and a plurality of second low-speed signal terminals (4"), and the plurality of second low-speed signal terminals (4") are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the first low-speed signal terminal (4').

7. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The terminal module (2) also includes: Insulator (20); and A pair of grounding elements (21) are fixed to the insulator (20) and spaced apart from each other in the width direction (X) of the insulator (20); The plurality of pairs of high-speed signal terminals (22) are fixed to the insulator (20) and arranged in a row along the length direction (Y) of the insulator (20). The row of high-speed signal terminals (22) is located between the pair of grounding members (21) and spaced apart from the grounding members (21) by a predetermined distance along the width direction (X). The grounding element (21) includes multiple grounding springs (211) corresponding to the multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals (22), and the multiple grounding springs (211) are arranged in a row along the length direction (Y) of the insulator (20). The high-speed signal terminal (22) has a contact spring arm (221), and the contact spring arm (221) of each pair of high-speed signal terminals (22) is located between a pair of corresponding grounding springs (211) opposite each other in the width direction (X).

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The grounding spring (211) of the grounding member (21) and the contact spring arm (221) of the high-speed signal terminal (22) extend upward from the top of the insulator (20) to make electrical contact with the conductive shield (61) and the high-speed mating signal terminal (62) of the mating terminal module (6) of the mating connector (200), respectively; and The upward extension of the contact spring arm (221) is greater than that of the grounding spring (211), such that during the mating process between the connector (100) and the mating connector (200), the contact spring arm (221) makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal (62) before the grounding spring (211) makes electrical contact with the conductive shield (61).

9. The connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: During the mating process between the connector (100) and the mating connector (200), the first low-speed signal terminal (4') makes electrical contact with the first low-speed mating signal terminal (7') before the high-speed signal terminal (22) makes electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal (62) of the mating connector (200).

10. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The insulator (20) is injection molded onto the multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals (22), so that the insulator (20) and the multiple pairs of high-speed signal terminals (22) become a single unit.

11. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The grounding member (21) also has a fixing strip (213) extending along the length direction (Y) of the insulator (20), the insulator (20) having two opposite sides in its width direction (X), and the fixing strips (213) of the pair of grounding members (21) are respectively fixed to the two sides of the insulator (20).

12. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The fixing strip (213) has an upper side and a lower side opposite each other in the height direction (Z) of the insulator (20), and a row of grounding springs (211) of the grounding member (21) is connected to the upper side of the fixing strip (213).

13. The connector according to claim 12, characterized in that: The grounding element (21) also has a plurality of grounding feet (212) located at the bottom of the insulator (20), the plurality of grounding feet (212) being arranged in a row along the length direction (Y) of the insulator (20) and connected to the lower side of the fixing strip (213); The high-speed signal terminal (22) has a high-speed signal solder pad (222) exposed from the bottom of the insulator (20), and the high-speed signal solder pad (222) and the ground solder pad (212) are adapted to be surface-mounted onto a circuit board.

14. The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The terminal module (2) also includes: A pair of reinforcing strips (23) are respectively welded to the fixing strips (213) of the pair of grounding components (21) to increase the strength of the fixing strips (213) of the grounding component (21). The inner side of the fixing strips (213) of the grounding component (21) is attached to the insulator (20), and the reinforcing strips (23) are welded to the outer side of the fixing strips (213) of the grounding component (21).

15. The connector according to claim 14, characterized in that: Multiple protruding pillars (203) are formed on both sides of the insulator (20), and the multiple protruding pillars (203) are arranged in a row along the length direction (Y) of the insulator (20); Multiple insertion holes (2c) are formed on the fixing strip (213) and the reinforcing strip (23), respectively. The multiple protruding posts (203) are respectively engaged with the multiple insertion holes (2c) to fix the grounding member (21) to the insulator (20).

16. The connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: Multiple ribs (20c) are formed on the protruding column (203), and the multiple ribs (20c) extend along the axial direction of the protruding column (203) and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the protruding column (203); The multiple protruding ribs (20c) on the protruding post (203) are interference-fitted with the wall of the insertion hole (2c) to fix the protruding post (203) into the insertion hole (2c).

17. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A mounting groove (13) extending along the length direction (Y) of the insulating shell (1) is formed on the bottom wall (12) of the insulating shell (1). The insulator (20) of the terminal module (2) is embedded in the mounting groove (13). The contact spring arm (221) of the high-speed signal terminal (22) and the grounding spring piece (211) of the grounding member (21) are located in the inner cavity (102) of the insulating shell (1).

18. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: The insulator (20) has two opposite ends in its length direction (Y), and protrusions (20a) are formed at each end of the insulator (20); Slots (1a) are formed on the inner walls of the mounting groove (13) at both ends of the insulating shell (1). The slots (1a) engage with the protrusions (20a) on the insulator (20) to lock the terminal module (2) in the insulating shell (1).

19. The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that: A positioning rib (1b) is formed in the insulating shell (1) across the mounting groove (13), and a positioning groove (20b) extending in the width direction (X) is formed on the top of the insulator (20). The positioning groove (20b) engages with the positioning rib (1b) to position the terminal module (2) in the insulating shell (1).

20. The connector of any one of claims 1-19, wherein, Also includes: A shielding shell (3) is fitted onto the insulating shell (1) and has a front side and a rear side opposite each other in the width direction (X) of the insulating shell (1). A front latch (31) is formed on the front side of the shielding shell (3), the front latch (31) being used to engage with the elastic hook (81) on the locking member (8) of the mating connector (200). A rear latch (32) is formed on the rear side of the shielding shell (3), which is used to engage with a locking protrusion (52) on the mating shell (5) of the mating connector (200).

21. A mating connector, comprising: include: Matching shell (5); and The mating terminal module (6) is installed in the mating housing (5). The mating terminal module (6) includes: The mating insulator (60) has multiple slots (601); Multiple pairs of high-speed mating signal terminals (62) are respectively disposed in the multiple slots (601); and A conductive shield (61) is disposed in the slot (601). The mating connector (200) is used to mate with the connector (100) according to any one of claims 1-22, the mating terminal module (6) is used to mate with the terminal module (2), the contact spring arm (221) of the high-speed signal terminal (22) is used to make electrical contact with the high-speed mating signal terminal (62), and the grounding spring (211) of the grounding member (21) is used to make electrical contact with the conductive shield (61).

22. The mating connector according to claim 21, characterized in that: The mating housing (5) includes an outer peripheral wall forming a receiving cavity and a positioning post (501) located in the receiving cavity and connected to the outer peripheral wall. The positioning post (501) is used to mate with a positioning hole (101) on the retainer (10) of the connector (100) to guide the connector (100) to mate with the mating connector (200).

23. The mating connector according to claim 21, characterized in that: The conductive shield (61) includes a conductive layer electroplated onto the inner wall surface of the slot (601) of the mating insulator (60); or The conductive shield (61) includes a conductive plate installed in a slot (601) of the mating insulator (60).

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