Electrical connector and terminal module for the same

Abstract

The application discloses an electric connector and a terminal module used for the electric connector, the electric connector comprises an insulating shell and a terminal module accommodated in the insulating shell, the terminal module comprises a first terminal module and a second terminal module arranged at the lower side of the first terminal module, the first terminal module comprises a row of terminals arranged along a transverse direction, an insulating piece for holding the row of terminals, the row of terminals comprises a plurality of pairs of signal terminals capable of transmitting differential signals, the first terminal module further comprises an upper shielding sheet arranged at the upper side of the row of terminals, a lower shielding sheet arranged at the lower side of the row of terminals and a spacer, the spacer comprises a first part and a plurality of second parts extended from the first part, each second part is arranged between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals, and the spacer is one-piece.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector and a terminal module for the electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector for transmitting high-frequency, high-speed signals and a terminal module for the electrical connector. [Background Technology]

[0002] With the development of the Internet and big data, the requirements for the speed of signal transmission by connectors are getting higher and higher. In order to meet the higher requirements for signal transmission, the frequency of signal transmission is also gradually increasing. However, this faces the problem that high-frequency signal interference makes it difficult to improve signal transmission.

[0003] US Patent No. 11322869B2 discloses an electrical connector that includes a row of terminals arranged in a lateral direction and a shield disposed on one side of the row of terminals. The signal terminals include multiple pairs of signal terminals for transmitting signals. The shield only blocks the row of terminals on one side in the vertical direction. Each pair of signal terminals will have signal interference in the lateral direction.

[0004] Therefore, an improved electrical connector is needed to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide an electrical connector that can improve the performance of high-frequency and high-speed signal transmission.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: the electrical connector includes an insulating shell and a terminal module housed within the insulating shell. The terminal module includes a first terminal module and a second terminal module disposed below the first terminal module. The first terminal module includes a row of terminals arranged in a transverse direction and an insulating member holding the row of terminals. The row of terminals includes multiple pairs of signal terminals capable of transmitting differential signals. The first terminal module also includes an upper shielding plate disposed above the row of terminals, a lower shielding plate disposed below the row of terminals, and an isolating member. The isolating member includes a first part and multiple second parts extending from the first part. Each second part is disposed between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals. The isolating member is a single piece.

[0007] Another major objective of this invention is to provide a terminal module that can improve the performance of high-frequency and high-speed signal transmission.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a terminal module for an electrical connector, the terminal module comprising a plurality of terminals arranged in a transverse direction, an insulating member for holding the terminals, each of the terminals comprising a contact portion, a mounting portion disposed opposite to the contact portion, and a connecting portion located between the contact portion and the mounting portion, the terminals comprising a plurality of pairs of signal terminals capable of transmitting differential signals, further comprising an upper shield disposed on the upper side of the terminals, a lower shield disposed on the lower side of the terminals, and an isolating member, the isolating member comprising a first portion and a plurality of second portions extending from the first portion, each second portion being disposed between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals, the isolating member being a single piece.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the terminal module of the electrical connector of the present invention is shielded from four directions by the combination of the upper shielding plate, the lower shielding plate and the isolator, which has a good shielding effect and better high-frequency and high-speed performance. In addition, the isolator is set as a piece, which can be installed on the first terminal module at one time, which is convenient for installation and saves time. [Attached Image Description]

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the electrical connector from another angle.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A further exploded view of the electrical connector shown.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded view of the electrical connector from another perspective.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the first terminal module of the electrical connector terminal module shown.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Another perspective view of the first terminal module of the connector shown.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The side view of the first terminal module shown.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of the first terminal module shown.

[0019] Figure 10 yes Figure 6 The first terminal module shown is a perspective view with the conductive components removed.

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 6 An exploded view of the first terminal module shown.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 An exploded view of the first terminal module from another perspective.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 The image shown is a perspective view of the first terminal module with the upper shielding plate removed.

[0023] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The exploded view of the first end module is shown.

[0024] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the first end module after the upper shielding plate and the isolator are assembled together.

[0025] Figure 16 yes Figure 14 The image shows a three-dimensional view of the upper shielding plate.

[0026] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 The image shown is a three-dimensional view of the upper shielding plate from another perspective.

[0027] [Explanation of Key Component Symbols]

[0028] Electrical connector 100, connection part 2103

[0029] Insulating outer casing 10 Horizontal section 2113

[0030] Terminal module 20 Inclined part 2123

[0031] Main body 11 Through hole 2413

[0032] Cover part 12 Cover part 2144

[0033] Grounding contact 2141 of interface 110

[0034] First terminal module 210 Grounding mounting section 2151

[0035] Second terminal module 220 front extension 2142

[0036] Fixing plate 230 Part 1 251

[0037] One row of terminals 201, Part 2 253

[0038] Insulating component 213 Disconnected part 2531

[0039] Upper shielding plate 214 Connecting part 2533

[0040] Lower shielding plate 215, vertical second part 2501

[0041] Isolator 250, Inclined Second Part 2502

[0042] Conductive component 216, fixing hole 2511

[0043] Signal terminal 2011 Bump 2131

[0044] Bypass terminal 2012 mounting port 2301

[0045] Contact part 2101, opening 2132

[0046] Mounting part 2102 Through hole 2145

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0047] like Figure 1-17 As shown, an electrical connector 100 conforming to the present invention can be mounted on an external circuit board (not shown) and can mate with a mating connector (not shown). The electrical connector 100 includes an insulating housing 10 and a terminal module 20 housed within the insulating housing 10.

[0048] The insulating housing 10 includes a main body 11 and a cover 12 that mates with the main body 11. The main body 11 is provided with a mating interface 110 that mates with a mating connector.

[0049] The terminal module 20 includes a first terminal module 210, a second terminal module 220 disposed below the first terminal module 210 and cooperating with the first terminal module 210, and a pair of fixing pieces 230 that hold the first terminal module 210 and the second terminal module 220 together. The front regions of the first terminal module 210 and the second terminal module 220 together form a mating region for electrical connection with two opposite surfaces of the tongue of the mating connector. During assembly, the fixing pieces 230 hold the first terminal module 210 together with the cover portion 12, and then assemble it into the main body portion 11.

[0050] Specifically, the first terminal module 210 includes a row of terminals 201 spaced apart in the lateral direction, an insulating member 213 holding the row of terminals 201, an upper shielding plate 214 disposed on the upper side of the row of terminals 201, a lower shielding plate 215 disposed on the lower side of the row of terminals 201, an isolating member 250, and a conductive member 216. The conductive member 216 is mechanically and electrically connected to the upper shielding plate 214, the lower shielding plate 215, and the isolating member 250.

[0051] The row of terminals 201 includes multiple pairs of signal terminals 2011 for transmitting differential signals and bypass terminals 2012 for transmitting other signals such as low-speed, power, and control signals. Specifically, in this invention, the first row of terminals 201 includes four bypass terminals 2012 and eight pairs of signal terminals 2011. The eight pairs of signal terminals 2011 are evenly divided into two groups, respectively disposed on both sides of the bypass terminals 2012. In other embodiments, only signal terminals 2011 may be provided. Each terminal in the row of terminals 201 includes a contact portion 2101 that can mate with a mating connector, a mounting portion 2102 disposed opposite to the contact portion 2101 that can mate with the circuit board, and a connecting portion 2103 located between the contact portion 2101 and the mounting portion 2102. The connecting portion 2103 includes a horizontal portion 2113 located behind the contact portion 2101 and connected to the contact portion 2101, and an inclined portion 2123 connecting the horizontal portion 2113 and the mounting portion 2102.

[0052] The upper shielding plate 214 is disposed on one side of the row of terminals 201 and spaced apart from the row of terminals 201 by a first distance, and the lower shielding plate 215 is disposed on the other side of the row of terminals 201 and spaced apart from the row of terminals 201 by a second distance. The first distance and the second distance are equal. The upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 surround the signal terminals 2011 of the row of terminals 201 to form a stripline structure, similar to the structure design of a PCB, to achieve better high-speed transmission performance. For ease of understanding, the distance mentioned here refers to the vertical distance at corresponding positions.

[0053] Both the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 are sheet-like metal plates, formed by bending according to the overall extended shape of the first terminal module 210. The upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 are spaced apart from the row of terminals 201 by the insulating member 213. The upper shielding plate 214 has a plurality of through holes 2143 and a covering portion 2144 located between adjacent through holes 2143. Each covering portion 2144 is aligned with a pair of corresponding signal terminals 2011, and the width of the covering portion 2144 in the lateral direction is greater than the width of the corresponding pair of signal terminals 2011. Specifically, the through holes 2143 are elongated.

[0054] The upper shield 214 is provided with a plurality of grounding contacts 2141, and the lower shield 215 is provided with a plurality of grounding mounting portions 2151. The plurality of grounding contacts 2141 and the plurality of grounding mounting portions 2151 are integrally stamped from the corresponding shields. The grounding contacts 2141 are laterally aligned with the contacts 2101 of the first row of terminals 201, and the contacts 2101 of each pair of signal terminals 2011 are located between adjacent pairs of grounding contacts 2141. Similarly, the plurality of grounding mounting portions 2151 are laterally aligned with the mounting portions 2102 of the first row of terminals 201, and the mounting portions 2102 of each pair of signal terminals 2011 are located between adjacent pairs of grounding mounting portions 2151. The upper shield 214 also includes overhanging features for impedance control, such as a forward extension 2142 located between every two grounding contacts 2141.

[0055] The isolator 250 is formed by stamping and bending a metal sheet. The isolator 250 is separately disposed from the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 of the first terminal module 210. The isolator 250 includes a first portion 251 and a plurality of second portions 253 extending from the first portion 251. The isolator 250 is disposed in the area where the signal terminal 2011 is located, and the isolator 250 in the area where each signal terminal 2011 is located is a single piece. The first portion 251 is located in the plane of the metal sheet, and the second portions 253 are formed by bending from the first portion 251. The first portion 251 is located outside the upper shielding plate 214 and is attached to the outer surface of the upper shielding plate 214. The plurality of second portions 253 are arranged perpendicularly to the first portion 251. Each second portion 253 is disposed between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals 2011 to reduce signal crosstalk between adjacent pairs of signal terminals 2011. Specifically, multiple second portions 253 are inserted between different pairs of signal terminals 2011 through through holes 2143 in the upper shielding plate 214. The thickness of the second portion 253 is equal to the width of the through hole 2143 in the lateral direction. Due to manufacturing and assembly errors, the width of the through hole 2143 in the lateral direction is no greater than 0.05 mm compared to the thickness of the second portion 253.

[0056] The second part 253 includes a disconnected portion 2531 that is disconnected from the first part 251 and connecting portions 2533 located on both sides of the disconnected portion 2531 that are connected to the plate. The disconnected portion 2531 of the second part 253 extends beyond the outer surface of the upper shielding plate 214, and extends towards the lower shielding plate 215 to the upper surface where the lower shielding plate 215 is located. The lower shielding plate 215 is complete at the position corresponding to the second part 253. Due to assembly errors, the distance between the second part 253 and the lower shielding plate 215 is no greater than 0.05 mm. The second part 253 includes a vertical second part 2501 that separates the horizontal portions 2113 of two adjacent pairs of signal terminals 2011 and an inclined second part 2502 that separates the inclined portions 2123 of the two pairs of signal terminals 2011. The first part 251 has fixing holes 2511 on both sides along the terminal extension direction. The upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 cover the signal terminal 2011 in the vertical direction, and the isolator 250 separates a pair of signal terminals 2011 in the horizontal direction.

[0057] There are two insulating members 213, located near the contact portion 2101 and near the mounting portion 2102 of the connecting portion 2103. Each insulating member 213 is elongated in the lateral direction. Both ends of each insulating member 213 extend beyond the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 in the lateral direction, forming a protrusion 2131 in the extended portion. The pair of fixing plates 230 have mounting openings 2301 corresponding to the protrusions 2131. The insulating member 213 has multiple openings 2132. The upper shielding plate 2140 and the lower shielding plate 215 each have multiple through holes 2145 penetrating both sides. The through holes 2145 of the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 are aligned with the corresponding openings 2132. The insulating member 213 has an opening 2132 between each pair of adjacent signal terminals 2011. The conductive element 216 passes through the fixing hole 2511 of the corresponding isolator 250, the through hole 2145 of the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215, and the opening 2132 of the insulating element 213. The conductive element 216 is injection molded to electrically connect the isolator 250, the upper shielding plate 214 and the lower shielding plate 215 together to achieve better SI performance.

[0058] The structure of the second terminal module 220 is similar to that of the first terminal module 210, with the main difference being that it is relatively shorter.

[0059] In the electrical connector 100 of the present invention, the upper shielding plate 214, the lower shielding plate 215 and the isolating member 250 are combined to shield a pair of signal terminals 2011 from four directions of the terminal path, which has a good shielding effect. Furthermore, the isolating member 250 is set as a single piece, which can be installed on the first terminal module 210 at once, which is convenient for installation and saves time.

Claims

1. An electrical connector mateable with a mating connector, the electrical connector comprising an insulating housing and a terminal module housed within the insulating housing, the terminal module comprising a first terminal module and a second terminal module disposed below the first terminal module, the first terminal module comprising a row of terminals arranged in a transverse direction and an insulating member holding the row of terminals, the row of terminals comprising multiple pairs of signal terminals capable of transmitting differential signals, characterized in that: The first terminal module further includes an upper shielding plate disposed on the upper side of the row of terminals, a lower shielding plate disposed on the lower side of the row of terminals, and an isolator. The isolator includes a first part and a plurality of second parts extending from the first part. Each second part is disposed between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals. The isolator is a single piece.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separator is formed by stamping and bending a metal sheet, with the first part located within the plane of the metal sheet and the second part formed by bending from the first part.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper shielding sheet is provided with multiple through holes, each of which is located between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals in the lateral direction. The first part is located on the outside of the upper shielding sheet and is attached to the outer surface of the upper shielding sheet. Multiple second parts are inserted between different pairs of signal terminals through the through holes.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The width of the through hole in the lateral direction is equal to the thickness of the second part.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second part includes a disconnected portion that is disconnected from the first part and connected portions that are located on both sides of the disconnected portion and connected to the first part. The disconnected portion extends toward the upper shielding sheet beyond the outer surface of the upper shielding sheet, and the second part extends toward the lower shielding sheet to the upper surface of the lower shielding sheet. The lower shielding sheet is intact at the position corresponding to the second part.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the signal terminals includes a contact portion, a mounting portion disposed opposite to the contact portion, and a connecting portion located between the contact portion and the mounting portion. The connecting portion includes a horizontal portion located after the contact portion and an inclined portion connecting the horizontal portion and the mounting portion. The second portion includes a vertical second portion that separates the horizontal portions of two adjacent pairs of signal terminals and an inclined second portion that separates the inclined portions of the two pairs of signal terminals.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The device further includes multiple conductive elements that are electrically connected to the upper shielding sheet, the lower shielding sheet, and the insulating element. The insulating element has multiple openings. The upper shielding sheet and the lower shielding sheet have through holes aligned with the openings. The insulating element has fixing holes aligned with the openings and the through holes. The conductive elements are integrally formed and pass through the corresponding fixing holes, the through holes, and the openings.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the upper and lower shielding plates integrally forms a plurality of grounding contacts, which are aligned laterally with the contacts of a plurality of signal terminals of the row of terminals. At least one of the upper and lower shielding plates integrally provides a plurality of grounding mounting portions, which are aligned laterally with the mounting portions of a plurality of signal terminals of the row of terminals.

9. A terminal module for an electrical connector, the terminal module comprising a plurality of terminals arranged in a transverse direction, an insulating member holding the terminals, each of the terminals comprising a contact portion, a mounting portion disposed opposite to the contact portion, and a connecting portion located between the contact portion and the mounting portion, the terminal row comprising a plurality of pairs of signal terminals capable of transmitting differential signals, characterized in that: The device further includes an upper shielding plate disposed on the upper side of the row of terminals, a lower shielding plate disposed on the lower side of the row of terminals, and an isolator. The isolator includes a first part and a plurality of second parts extending from the first part. Each second part is disposed between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals. The isolator is a single piece.

10. The terminal module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The isolator is formed by stamping and bending a metal sheet. The second part is formed by bending from the surface of the metal sheet. The upper shielding sheet has multiple through holes. Each through hole is located between two adjacent pairs of signal terminals in the lateral direction. The first part of the isolator is attached to the outer surface of the upper shielding sheet. Multiple second parts are inserted between different pairs of signal terminals through the through holes. The second parts are perpendicular to the upper shielding sheet and the lower shielding sheet.

Images