Connector assembly, board end connector, and wire end connector

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a first and a second connector. The first connector includes a first housing and a board end terminal set. The first housing has a slot. The board end terminal set is located in the slot and includes a pair of board end terminals each including a connecting portion and a mating portion. The connecting portion is located in the slot and connects a circuit board. The mating portion connects the connecting portion and has a folded structure. The mating portion is located in the slot and is opposite and spaced apart from a corresponding mating portion of another pair of mating portions. The second connector includes a second housing, a board-like mating member, a pair of wire end terminals and a cable assembly. The board-like mating member extends from a mating surface of the second housing. The wire end terminals are disposed on opposite sides of the board-like mating member. The cable assembly includes a pair of cables connecting the wire end terminals and extending out of the second housing. The board-like mating member is configured to be inserted between the mating portions to allow the board end terminals to connect the wire end terminals. The connector assembly effectively reduces the overall height of the first and second connectors in a mating direction to save space and improve the practicality of the connector assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector assembly, and a board-end connector and a wire-end connector therein that are interconnected. Background Technology

[0002] With the ever-accelerating pace of modern life, people's demand for electronic devices is also increasing. Faced with a huge consumer market, manufacturers are not only improving the functionality and performance of their products, but also striving to enhance the reliability and stability of electronic devices in order to strengthen their brand's market competitiveness.

[0003] Taking power connectors as an example, how to effectively reduce their size to save space while minimizing costs and making the connection between electronic devices more reliable is undoubtedly an important issue of great concern to the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector assembly that can effectively reduce the overall height of the board-end connector and the wire-end connector in the mating direction after connection, so as to save space and improve the practicality of the connector assembly.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first insulating housing and at least one first plate-end terminal group. The first insulating housing has a slot. The first plate-end terminal group is at least partially located in the slot and includes a pair of first plate-end terminals. Each of the first plate-end terminals includes a connecting portion and a mating portion. The connecting portion is located in the slot and is at least partially exposed outside the first insulating housing for electrical connection to a printed circuit board. The mating portion connects to the connecting portion and has a folded structure, the mating portion is located within the slot and is spaced apart from the mating portion of the other of the first plate-end terminals. The second connector includes a second insulating housing, a plate-shaped mating member, at least one pair of first wire-end terminals, and a cable assembly. The second insulating housing has a mating surface. The plate-shaped mating member extends from the mating surface along a mating direction. The first wire-end terminals are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member and are electrically isolated from each other. The cable assembly includes at least one pair of cables, each electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first wire-end terminals and extending outside the second insulating housing. The plate-shaped mating member is configured to be inserted between the mating portions along the mating direction so that the first plate end terminals of the first plate end terminal group are electrically connected to the corresponding one of the first wire end terminals.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mating portion of each of the first plate end terminals described above includes a plurality of spring arms, which are separated from each other and are respectively connected to the connecting portion.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described spring arms has a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the connecting portion, the second end being a free end, and the height of the second end in the docking direction being lower than or equal to the height of the first end in the docking direction.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first insulating housing described above has a communicating opening and at least one recess, the opening and the recess communicating with a slot. The plate-shaped mating member, together with the first wire terminal, has a cross-section whose contour matches the contour of the opening and the recess. The plate-shaped mating member is configured to at least partially pass through the opening and the recess.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the two sides of the plate-shaped connecting member described above are respectively provided with elongated columns.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the first wire terminals is at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member to become an exposed portion. The exposed portion is rectangular plate-shaped, and its length along the mating direction is shorter than its length perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second insulating housing described above includes a main shell and a wall portion. The main shell has a mating surface configured to at least partially abut against the first insulating housing. The wall portion connects to the main shell and at least partially surrounds it to define an inner contour and a space, a plate-like mating member is located in the space, and the first insulating housing is configured to at least partially insert into the space and abut against the main shell. The first insulating housing defines an outer contour, and the outer contour and the inner contour are each at least partially asymmetrical and fit together.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a board-end connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of first board-end terminals. The insulating housing has a slot and a plurality of partition walls located on opposite long sides of the slot to define a plurality of sub-slots, the sub-slots being interconnected. The first board-end terminals are fixed to the insulating housing and are respectively located in one of the corresponding sub-slots.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the width of at least one of the partition walls is wider than the width of at least another partition wall.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned board-end connector further includes at least one second board-end terminal. The wider of the partition walls has at least one signal slot, and the second board-end terminal is located in the signal slot.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the slot described above further defines at least one foolproof groove, the foolproof groove being connected to the sub-slot.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the first board end terminals described above has a connecting portion and a mating portion connected to each other. The connecting portion is used to connect the circuit board, and the mating portion is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the sub-slots and includes a plurality of spring arms that are separated from each other.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the aforementioned spring arms is a folded structure and includes an outer spring arm and an inner spring arm. The inner spring arm is located inside the outer spring arm and is used to contact the electrical components of the insertion slot.

[0018] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the insulating housing described above has a snap-fit ​​structure. The snap-fit ​​structure is located on the two short sides of the insulating housing and is used to engage with the snap-fit ​​structure of the mating connector.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wire-end connector includes an insulating body, a plate-shaped mating member, and a plurality of first wire-end terminals. The insulating body has a mating surface. The plate-shaped mating member extends from the mating surface in a mating direction. The first wire-end terminals are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member and electrically isolated from each other. Each of the first wire-end terminals is at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member, becoming an exposed portion, the exposed portion being rectangular plate-shaped, and its length along the mating direction being less than its length perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0020] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the wire connector further includes at least one second wire terminal. The second wire terminal is disposed on a plate-shaped mating member and is at least partially exposed on the plate-shaped mating member, and the distance between the remote relative mating surfaces of the second wire terminal is less than the distance between the remote relative mating surfaces of each of the first wire terminals.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the width of the second wire terminal in the vertical docking direction is smaller than the width of each of the first wire terminals in the vertical docking direction.

[0022] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the two sides of the plate-shaped connecting member described above are respectively provided with elongated columns.

[0023] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0024] (1) Since the mating part of the first board end terminal has a folded structure, the height in the second direction is reduced. Therefore, the height of the first insulating shell relative to the printed circuit board in the second direction can be effectively reduced, thereby greatly reducing the overall height of the connector assembly in the second direction, so as to save space and improve the practicality of the connector assembly.

[0025] (2) Since the profile of the cross section of the plate-shaped mating part matches the profile of the opening and the clearance of the first insulating shell, it can play a foolproof role when the second connector is connected to the first connector.

[0026] (3) Since the second insulating housing of the second connector includes a main housing and a wall, and the outer contour of the first insulating housing of the first connector and the inner contour of the wall are at least partially asymmetrical and match each other, it can further play a foolproof role when the second connector is connected to the first connector. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0028] Figure 2 For illustration Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first connector.

[0029] Figure 3 For illustration Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the first connector, in which the first insulating shell is omitted.

[0030] Figures 4-5 For illustration Figure 1 The second connector is shown in a three-dimensional diagram from different perspectives.

[0031] Figure 6 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment AA.

[0032] Figure 7 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment BB.

[0033] Figure 8 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment CC.

[0034] Figure 9 A perspective view illustrating a connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10 To illustrate along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of line segment DD.

[0036] Figure 11 To illustrate along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of line segment EE.

[0037] Figure 12 This is a perspective view illustrating a connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 13 For illustration Figure 12 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector assembly, wherein the first insulating shell and the second insulating shell are omitted.

[0039] Figure label:

[0040] 100: Connector Assembly

[0041] 110: First Connector

[0042] 111: First insulating shell

[0043] 1112: Divider wall

[0044] 1113: Bump

[0045] 112: First board terminal block

[0046] 1121: First board terminal

[0047] 1122: Connecting part

[0048] 1122a: Foot joint

[0049] 1122b: Fixing part

[0050] 1122p:convex part

[0051] 1123: Docking Section

[0052] 1123a: Spinning arm

[0053] 1123ai: Internal bullet arm

[0054] 1123a o: External bullet arm

[0055] 1123a 1: First end

[0056] 1123a 2: Second end

[0057] 113: Second board terminal block

[0058] 1131: Second board terminal

[0059] 120: Second connector

[0060] 121: Second insulating shell

[0061] 121s: Dating surface

[0062] 1211: Main Shell

[0063] 1212: Wall

[0064] 1213: Buckle arm

[0065] 122: Plate-shaped mating parts

[0066] 1221: Long column

[0067] 123: First wire terminal

[0068] 123e: Exposed parts

[0069] 124: First cable assembly

[0070] 1241: First Cable

[0071] 125: Second wire terminal

[0072] 126: Second cable assembly

[0073] 1261: Second cable

[0074] 200: Printed Circuit Board

[0075] AA, BB, CC, DD, EE: line segments

[0076] CS: Cross section

[0077] D 1: First direction

[0078] D 2: Second direction

[0079] D 3: Third-party

[0080] G 1: First gap

[0081] G 2: Second gap

[0082] H: Height

[0083] OP: Open

[0084] OR: Avoidance opening

[0085] PI: Inner Contour

[0086] PO: Outer contour

[0087] T: Slot

[0088] T': Subslot

[0089] T g: Anti-foolproof groove

[0090] Ts: Signal slot

[0091] SP: Space Detailed Implementation

[0092] The following describes several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some known and conventional structures and components will be illustrated in a simple schematic manner in the drawings, and in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar components. And, where feasible, features of different embodiments can be applied interchangeably.

[0093] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have their ordinary meanings, meanings that are understandable to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the definitions of the foregoing terms in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted in the context of this specification as having the meaning consistent with the relevant field of this invention. Unless specifically defined, these terms will not be construed as having idealized or overly formal meanings.

[0094] Please refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating a connector assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a connector assembly 100, which includes a first connector 110 and a second connector 120 that can be connected to each other. In fact, the first connector 110 is a board-end connector, while the second connector 120 is a wire-end connector.

[0095] Please refer to Figures 2-3 . Figure 2 For illustration Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first connector 110. Figure 3 For illustration Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the first connector 110, wherein the first insulating housing 111 is omitted. In this embodiment, the first connector 110 includes a first insulating housing 111 and at least one first board terminal group 112. The first insulating housing 111 of the first connector 110 is configured to connect to the printed circuit board 200, thereby securing the first connector 110 to the printed circuit board 200. In fact, as Figures 2-3As shown, the first connector 110 may further include at least one second board-end terminal group 113. The number of first board-end terminal groups 112 is multiple pairs, and the second board-end terminal group 113 is located between two adjacent pairs of the first board-end terminal groups 112. The first insulating housing 111 has a slot T. The first board-end terminal groups 112 are at least partially located (or exposed) in the slot T of the first insulating housing 111, and each of the first board-end terminal groups 112 includes a pair of first board-end terminals 1121, each of which includes a connecting portion 1122 and a mating portion 1123. Specifically, the connecting portion 1122 is at least partially exposed outside the first insulating housing 111 to electrically connect to the printed circuit board 200. The mating part 1123 is connected to the connecting part 1122, and the mating part 1123 is located (or exposed) in the slot T, and is separated from the mating part 1123 of the other one of the first plate end terminals 1121, that is, the two opposing mating parts 1123 form a first gap G1 therein.

[0096] Similarly, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the second board terminal group 113 is at least partially located in the slot T of the first insulating housing 111 and includes a pair of second board terminals 1131, which are spaced apart from each other, i.e., the two opposing second board terminals 1131 form a second gap G2 therein. More specifically, the second board terminals 1131 are at least partially exposed outside the first insulating housing 111 for electrical connection to the printed circuit board 200. Figure 2 As shown, the first insulating housing 111 has a plurality of partition walls 1112 located in the slot T. Furthermore, a plurality of sub-slots T' (or terminal recesses) are defined on the two opposite long sides of the slot T. The sub-slots T' communicate with each other, and adjacent sub-slots T' are separated by a partition wall 1112. In practice, at least one partition wall 1112 is wider than the other partition walls 1112, or the relatively wider partition wall 1112 can be referred to as a boss, and the boss forms at least one signal slot Ts, which communicates with the slot T. The slot T may also have a foolproof mechanism, such as a boss or a recess. In this embodiment, at least one foolproof recess Tg is defined on one side of the slot T, and if there are multiple foolproof recesses Tg, their widths may be different. In some embodiments, the slot T may have foolproof mechanisms, such as foolproof recesses Tg, on both sides, and a first board-end terminal 1121 and / or a second board-end terminal 1131 may be mounted on the foolproof mechanism.

[0097] Furthermore, such as Figures 2-3As shown, in each first board terminal group 112, a pair of first board terminal 1121 are arranged face-to-face or staggered along a first direction D1, and each of the first board terminal 1121 extends at least partially along a second direction D2. Furthermore, the first board terminal groups 112 are arranged in two rows of first board terminal 1121 along a third direction D3, wherein the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to each other, and the second direction D2 is parallel to the normal direction of the printed circuit board 200, and the second direction D2 is also the mating direction, i.e., the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 are connected to each other along the second direction D2. Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, the second connector 120 can be perpendicularly connected to the first connector 110 disposed on the printed circuit board 200 along the second direction D2. The first board end terminals 1121 are each mounted in their corresponding sub-slots T'. The first connector 110 and the second connector 120 each have corresponding snap-fit ​​structures located on their respective short sides, such as protrusions, grooves, and snap-fit ​​arms, to engage with each other when the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 are connected, thereby stabilizing their connection relationship and state. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first connector 110 has protrusions 1113 located on the two opposite short sides of the first insulating housing 111, while the second connector 120 has snap-fit ​​arms 1213. In some embodiments, the first connector 110 may have snap-fit ​​arms, while the second connector 120 may have protrusions and recesses.

[0098] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the connecting portion 1122 includes connected pin portions 1122a and fixing portions 1122b. Pin portions 1122a are at least partially exposed outside the first insulating housing 111 for electrical connection to the printed circuit board 200. The fixing portions 1122b are flat and connected to the pin portions 1122a respectively. The fixing portions 1122b have protrusions 1122p on both sides, which are mounted inside the first insulating housing 111 by means of interference, etc., to fix the first board end terminal 1121. That is, the fixing portions 1122b are disposed within their respective sub-slots T', and the protrusions 1122p are fixed by hard interference with the partition wall 1112. In the third direction D3, the width of the pin portion 1122a is smaller than the width of the fixing portion 1122b, and the pin portion 1122a is offset inward (i.e., towards the center of the slot T) relative to the fixing portion 1122b. Correspondingly, the docking portion 1123 includes a plurality of spring arms 1123a, which are arranged and separated from each other along the third direction D3, and are respectively connected to one of the corresponding fixing portions 1122b. In the third direction D3, the width of the docking portion 1123 (and the spring arms 1123a) is also smaller than the width of the fixing portion 1122b.

[0099] More specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the spring arms 1123a of the docking portion 1123 have a folded structure, generally presenting an inverted U-shape. Each arm has a first end 1123a 1 and a second end 1123a 2. The first end 1123a 1 connects to the corresponding one of the fixing portions 1122b, while the second end 1123a 2 is a free end. In this way, the docking portion 1123 has some elasticity relative to the connecting portion 1122. In the second direction D2, the height of the second end 1123a 2 can be equal to or lower than the height of the first end 1123a 1. In other words, the spring arm 1123a can be divided into two interconnected parts: an outer spring arm 1123a0 and an inner spring arm 1123ai. The outer spring arm 1123a0 is connected to the fixing part 1122b, and the inner spring arm 1123ai is folded inward relative to the outer spring arm 1123a0 (i.e., in the direction of the center of the slot T) and located inside the outer spring arm 1123a0. In some embodiments, the inner spring arm 1123ai is at least partially located inside the fixing part 1122b, that is, the projection of the inner spring arm 1123ai along the first direction D1 at least partially overlaps with the projection of the fixing part 1122b. Moreover, the inner spring arm 1123ai has an inwardly curved portion, which forms a contact area for contacting the electrical components inserted into the slot T.

[0100] Furthermore, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, there are also multiple second board-end terminal groups 113, which are independent of each other and arranged along a third direction D3, and are located between two adjacent first board-end terminal groups 112. Specifically, the second board-end terminal groups 113 are respectively installed in the corresponding signal slots Ts of the boss portion, and at least partially protrude and are exposed in the slots T. The width of the second board-end terminal 1131 (along the third direction D3) is smaller than the width of the first board-end terminal 1121 and the spring arm 1123a. In this embodiment, the second board-end terminal 1131 does not have a folded structure, but in some embodiments, the second board-end terminal 1131 may also have a folded structure.

[0101] Please refer to Figures 4-5 . Figures 4-5 For illustration Figure 1 The second connector 120 is shown in a three-dimensional schematic diagram from different perspectives. In this embodiment, as... Figures 4-5As shown, the second connector 120 includes a second insulating housing 121, a plate-shaped mating member 122, at least a pair of first wire terminals 123, and a first cable assembly 124. In this embodiment, the second connector 120 further includes at least one second wire terminal 125 and a second cable assembly 126. The plate-shaped mating member 122 is connected to the second insulating housing 121 (also referred to as the insulating body) and extends outward from one side surface of the second insulating housing 121 (i.e., the mating surface 121s) to be exposed. The plate-shaped mating member 122 is configured to be inserted into a slot T and is located between the mating portions 1123 of the first plate-shaped terminals 1121. The first wire terminals 123 are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member 122 and are electrically isolated from each other. The first wire terminals 123 are at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member 122, forming an exposed portion 123e, and the exposed portion 123e is a flat rectangular shape. The exposed portion 123e of the first terminal 123 has a longer length along the third direction D3 than its length along the second direction D2. The first cable assembly 124 includes at least one pair of first cables 1241, which are electrically connected to corresponding ones of the first terminals 123 and extend out of the second insulating housing 121. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped mating member 122 extends at least partially along the second direction D2, while the first cable assembly 124 and the second cable assembly 126 extend at least partially along the first direction D1. The second terminal 125 is disposed on at least one side of the plate-shaped mating member 122 and is offset from the first terminal 123. The second terminal 125 is at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member 122 and extends along the second direction D2, and this exposed portion is also plate-shaped. The second cable assembly 126 includes at least one second cable 1261. The second cable 1261 is electrically connected to the second terminal 125 and extends out of the second insulating housing 121. The length of the second terminal 125 along the second direction D2 (i.e., the mating direction) is shorter than the length of the first terminal 123 along the second direction D2. In other words, the distance between the distal end of the second terminal 125 (the end furthest from the second insulating housing 121) and the mating surface 121s of the second insulating housing 121 is less than the distance between the distal end of the first terminal 123 and the mating surface 121s of the second insulating housing 121. In the third direction D3, the width of the second terminal 125 is less than the width of the first terminal 123. The plate-shaped mating member 122 may have a foolproof mechanism, which corresponds to the foolproof structure of the slot T, and is a corresponding groove or boss. In this embodiment, the foolproof mechanism of the plate-shaped mating member 122 is a boss on both sides, and the boss is a long strip 1221 extending at least partially along the second direction D2.

[0102] Please refer to Figure 6 . Figure 6 To illustrate along Figure 1A cross-sectional view of line segment AA. In this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, when the second connector 120 connects to the first connector 110, at least a portion of the second insulating housing 121 of the second connector 120 (i.e., the mating surface 121s of the second insulating housing 121) abuts against the first insulating housing 111 of the first connector 110 (i.e., the upper surface of the first insulating housing 111), and the plate-shaped mating member 122 of the second connector 120 is inserted between the first plate-end terminals 1121 and is at least partially located within the first gap G1, so that the first wire terminals 123 of the second connector 120 at least partially abut against and electrically connect to the mating portions 1123 of the first plate-end terminals 1121. In this embodiment, the first wire terminals 123 are electrically connected to a plurality of first plate-end terminals 1121 in the first plate-end terminal group 112.

[0103] It is worth noting that, such as Figure 6 As shown, since the mating portion 1123 of the first board end terminal 1121 has a folded structure, the height in the second direction D2 is reduced. Therefore, the height H of the first insulating housing 111 relative to the printed circuit board 200 in the second direction D2 can be effectively reduced, thereby significantly reducing the overall height of the connector assembly 100 in the second direction D2, so as to save space and improve the practicality of the connector assembly 100.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 7 . Figure 7 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment BB. In this embodiment, as... Figure 7 As shown, when the second connector 120 is connected to the first connector 110, the plate-shaped mating part 122 of the second connector 120 is simultaneously inserted between the second plate end terminals 1131 and is at least partially located within the second gap G2, so that the second wire end terminals 125 are at least partially electrically connected to the second plate end terminals 1131 respectively.

[0105] Please refer to Figure 8 . Figure 8 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment CC. In this embodiment, as... Figure 8As shown, the first insulating housing 111 of the first connector 110 has a communicating opening OP and at least one recess OR (i.e., a foolproof structure). The opening OP and the recess OR communicate with a slot T (including a sub-slot T' and a foolproof groove Tg). A plate-shaped mating member 122 is configured to at least partially pass through the opening OP and the recess OR to be inserted between the first plate-end terminals 1121 and the second plate-end terminals 1131. Correspondingly, the plate-shaped mating member 122 of the second connector 120, together with the first wire terminal 123 and the second wire terminal 125, has a cross-section CS (i.e., a foolproof structure of the second connector 120). The cross-section CS is perpendicular to the second direction D2, and the contour of the cross-section CS matches the contour of the opening OP and the recess OR, thus providing a foolproof function when the second connector 120 is connected to the first connector 110.

[0106] Please refer to Figures 9-11 . Figure 9 A perspective view of a connector assembly 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided. Figure 10 To illustrate along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of line segment DD. Figure 11 To illustrate along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of line segment EE. In this embodiment, as... Figures 9-11 As shown, the second insulating housing 121 of the second connector 120 includes a main housing 1211 and a wall portion 1212. A plate-shaped mating member 122 connects to the main housing 1211 and extends from one side thereof (matting surface 121s). The main housing 1211 is configured to at least partially (matting surface 121s) abut against the first insulating housing 111 of the first connector 110. The wall portion 1212 connects to the main housing 1211, extends from the mating surface 121s, and at least partially surrounds it to define an inner contour PI and a space SP. The plate-shaped mating member 122 is at least partially located within the space SP of the wall portion 1212. The first insulating housing 111 of the first connector 110 is configured to at least partially insert into the space SP of the wall portion 1212 and abut against the mating surface 121s of the main housing 1211. The first insulating housing 111 defines an outer contour PO. The outer contour PO and the inner contour PI are at least partially asymmetrical contours and fit together, thus further preventing mistaken connection when the second connector 120 connects to the first connector 110. For example, at least one of the four corners of the outer contour PO (and the inner contour PI) has a recessed area, and if there are multiple recessed areas, the shapes of the recessed areas are not the same.

[0107] Please refer to Figures 12-13 . Figure 12 A perspective view of a connector assembly 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided. Figure 13 For illustration Figure 12A perspective view of the connector assembly 100, wherein the first insulating housing 111 and the second insulating housing 121 are omitted. Depending on the actual situation, in this embodiment, as... Figures 12-13 As shown, the first cable assembly 124 and the second cable assembly 126 of the second connector 120 extend at least partially along a third direction D3, and the plate-shaped mating member 122 also extends at least partially along a third direction D3. The first cable 1241 of the first cable assembly 124 and the second cable 1261 of the second cable assembly 126 are at least partially disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member 122. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​structure between the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 is located on the two long sides of the connector, as shown... Figure 12 The latching arm 1213 shown is different from the latching structure of the aforementioned embodiment, which is located on the two short sides of the connector.

[0108] In summary, the technical solutions disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0109] (1) Since the mating part of the first board end terminal has a folded structure, the height in the second direction is reduced. Therefore, the height of the first insulating shell relative to the printed circuit board in the second direction can be effectively reduced, thereby greatly reducing the overall height of the connector assembly in the second direction, so as to save space and improve the practicality of the connector assembly.

[0110] (2) Since the profile of the cross section of the plate-shaped mating part matches the profile of the opening and the clearance of the first insulating shell, it can play a foolproof role when the second connector is connected to the first connector.

[0111] (3) Since the second insulating housing of the second connector includes a main housing and a wall, and the outer contour of the first insulating housing of the first connector and the inner contour of the wall are at least partially asymmetrical and match each other, it can further play a foolproof role when the second connector is connected to the first connector.

[0112] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, characterized in that, Include: The first connector includes: A first insulating housing having a slot; and At least one first board end terminal group, at least partially located in the slot and comprising a pair of first board end terminals, each of the pair of first board end terminals comprising: A connecting portion, located in the slot and at least partially exposed outside the first insulating housing, is electrically connected to the printed circuit board; as well as A mating part, which connects to the connecting part and has a folded structure, is located in the slot and is spaced apart from the mating part of another of the first plate end terminals; as well as The second connector includes: The second insulating housing has a mating surface; A plate-shaped mating component, extending from the mating surface along the mating direction; At least one pair of first wire terminals are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member and electrically isolated from each other; as well as The cable assembly includes at least one pair of cables electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first wire terminals and extending out of the second insulating housing. The plate-shaped connector is configured to be inserted between the mating portions along the mating direction, so that the first plate-end terminals of the first plate-end terminal group are electrically connected to one of the corresponding first wire-end terminals.

2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of these first plate end terminals has a mating portion comprising a plurality of spring arms that are spaced apart from each other and are respectively connected to the connecting portion.

3. The connector assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the spring arms has a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the connecting portion, the second end being a free end, and the height of the second end in the docking direction being lower than or equal to the height of the first end in the docking direction.

4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulating housing has a communicating opening and at least one recess, the opening and the recess communicating with the slot, the plate-shaped mating member together with the first wire terminals having a cross section whose profile matches the profile of the opening and the recess, the plate-shaped mating member being configured to at least partially pass through the opening and the recess.

5. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The plate-shaped joint has long columns on both sides.

6. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first wire terminals is at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member, becoming an exposed portion. The exposed portion is rectangular and flat, and its length along the mating direction is shorter than its length perpendicular to the mating direction.

7. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The second insulating housing comprises: The main housing has the mating surface, which is configured to at least partially abut against the first insulating housing; as well as The wall portion connects to the main shell and at least partially surrounds it to define the inner contour and space. The plate-shaped mating member is located in the space. The first insulating shell is configured to at least partially insert into the space and abut against the main shell. The first insulating shell defines the outer contour. The outer contour and the inner contour are at least partially asymmetrical and match each other.

8. A board-end connector, characterized in that, Include: An insulating housing having a slot and a plurality of partition walls located on opposite long sides of the slot to define a plurality of sub-slots that communicate with each other; and Multiple first plate terminals are fixed to the insulating housing and are respectively located in one of the corresponding sub-slots.

9. The board-end connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The width of at least one of the partition walls is wider than the width of at least another of the partition walls.

10. The board-end connector as described in claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes: At least one second board terminal, wherein the wider of the partition walls has at least one signal slot, and the second board terminal is located in the signal slot.

11. The board-end connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The slot further defines at least one foolproof groove that connects to the sub-slots.

12. The board-end connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the first board terminals has a connecting portion and a mating portion that are connected to each other. The connecting portion is used to connect the circuit board. The mating portion is at least partially located in a corresponding one of the sub-slots and includes a plurality of spring arms that are separated from each other.

13. The board-end connector as described in claim 12, characterized in that, Each of these spring arms is a folded structure and includes an outer spring arm and an inner spring arm, the inner spring arm being located inside the outer spring arm and used to contact an electrical component inserted into the slot.

14. The board-end connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The insulating housing has a snap-fit ​​structure located on the two short sides of the insulating housing, which is used to engage with the snap-fit ​​structure of the mating connector.

15. A wire-end connector, characterized in that, Include: Insulating body with mating surfaces; A plate-shaped mating component, extending from the mating surface in the mating direction; as well as Multiple first-line terminals are disposed on opposite sides of the plate-shaped mating member and electrically isolated from each other. Each of the first wire terminals is at least partially exposed on the surface of the plate-shaped mating member, becoming an exposed portion. The exposed portion is rectangular and flat, and its length along the mating direction is less than its length perpendicular to the mating direction.

16. The wire-end connector as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, It also includes: At least one second wire terminal is disposed on the plate-shaped mating member and is at least partially exposed on the plate-shaped mating member, wherein the remote distance of the second wire terminal relative to the mating surface is less than the remote distance of each of the first wire terminals relative to the mating surface.

17. The wire-end connector as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The width of the second terminal in the mating direction is less than the width of each of the first terminals in the mating direction.

18. The wire-end connector as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The plate-shaped joint has long columns on both sides.

Images